REPORT 


ON  THE 


BIEDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


WITH  SPECIAL  REFERENCE  TO  THE  FOOD-HABITS,  BASED 

ON  OVER  THREE  THOUSAND  STOMACH 

EXAMINATIONS. 


BY 


B.  H.  WARKEN,  M.  D., 


ORNITHOLOGIST  OF  THE  STATE  BOARD  OF  AGRICULTURE  ;  ASSOCIATE  MEMBER  OF  THE  AMERICAN 

ORNITHOLOGIST'S  UNION;  SECRETARY  OF  THE  CHESTER  COUNTY  (PA.) 

ACADEMY  OF  ARTS  AND  SCIENCES,  ETC. 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  FIFTY  PLATES, 


HAREISBURG: 

EDWIN    K.    MEYERS,    STATE    PRINTER. 

1888. 


BIOLOGY 
LIBRARY 

S 


OFFICE  OF  THE  ORNITHOLOGIST  OP  THE 
STATE  BOARD  OF  AGRICULTURE, 
CHESTER,  PA.,  November  1,  1888. 


To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  Pennsylvania  : 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  the  Report  on 
the  Birds  of  Pennsylvania,  authorized  by  the  act  of  May  12,  1887. 

B.  H.  WAEREX, 

State  Ornithologist. 


251209 

fifl) 


(iv) 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

List  of  Plates, vii 

Introduction,     ix 

Order  Pygopodes — The  Diving  Birds, 1 

Family  Podicipidse— The  Grebes, .    1,230 

Urinatoridse— The  Loons, 3,230 

Alcidae— The  Murres  and  Puffins,     230 

Order  Longipennes — The  Long-winged  Swimmers. 

Family  Stercorariidse— The  Jaegers, 230 

Laridse— The  Gulls  and  Terns,    .   .       231 

Rynchopidse— The  Skimmers, 232 

Order  Tubinares — The  Tube-nosed  Swimmers, 

Family  Procellariidae— The  Shearwaters  and  Petrels, 232 

Order  Steganopodes — The  Totipalmate  Swimmers. 

Family  Phalacrocoracidse— The  Cormorants, 232 

Pelecanida3— The  Pelicans, !       232 

Order  Anseres— The  Lamellirostral  Swimmers, 4 

Family  Anatidse — The  Ducks,  Geese  and  Swans, 4,232 

Order  Herodiones— The  Herons,  Egrets,  etc., 17,234 

Family  Ibididae—  The  Ibises, 234 

Ciconiidffi— The  Wood  Ibises, 234 

Ardeidae— The  Herons,  Bitterns,  etc., 17,234 

Order  Paludicolse— The  Rails,  Coots,  etc., 27 

Family  Gruidse— The  Cranes, 234 

Rallidse— The  Rails,  Gallinules,  etc., 27,234 

Order  Limicolse— The  Shore  Birds, 32 

Family  Phalaropodidse— The  Phalaropes, 235 

Scolopacidse— The  Snipes,  Sandpipers,  etc, 32,235 

Charadriidse— The  Plovers, 43,236 

Aphrizidse—  The  Turnstones,  . 237 

Order  Gallinae — The  Gallinaceous  Birds, '.   .         47 

Family  Tetraonidae— The  Grouse,  Partridges,  etc., 47,237 

Phasianidse — The  Turkeys, 51,237 

Order  Columbse — The  Pigeons, 51 

Family  Columbidse— The  Pigeons, 51,237 

Birds  of  Prey  and  the  "  Scalp"  Act  of  June  23,  1885, 55 

Order  Raptores— The  Birds  of  Prey, 72 

Family  Cathartidse—  The  American  Vultures, 72,237 

Falconidae — Hawks,  Eagles,  etc., 74,237 

Strigidae— The  Barn  Owls, 104,238 

Bubonidse— The  Horne'd  Owls,  etc., 106,238 

Order  Coccyges — The  Cuckoos,  etc., 119 

Family  Cuculidae— The  Cuckoos,  etc., 119,238 

Alcedinidse — The  Kingfishers, 121,239 

Order  Pici— The  Woodpeckers, 123 

Family  Picidse— The  Woodpeckers, 123,239 

Order  Macrochires— The  Goatsuckers,  Swifts, 138 

Family  Caprimulgidse— The  Goatsuckers, 138,239 

Micropodidse— The  Swifts, 142,239 

Trochilidse— The  Hummingbirds, 143,239 


vi  CONTENTS. 


Order  Passeres— The  Perching  Birds,    ... 145 

Family  Tyrannidse— The  Tyrant  Flycatchers, 145,239 

Alaudidse— The  Larks, 156,240 

Corvidse— The  Crows  and  Jays,    .  , 157,240 

Icteridse— The  Blackbirds,  Orioles,  etc., 163,240 

Fringillidae— The  Finches,  Sparrows,  etc., 183,241,249 

Tanagridae— The  Tanagers,     201,243 

Hirundinidse— The  Swallows, 203,243 

Ampelidse— The  Waxwings, 208,244 

Laniidse— The  Shrikes,     209,244 

VireonidEe— The  Vireos, 210,244,249 

Mniotiltidse— The  Wood- Warblers, 211,244 

Motacillidse— The  Wagtails,     247 

Troglodytidse— The  Wrens,  Thrashers,  etc., 217,248 

Certhiidae— The  Creepers, 248 

Paridse— The  Nuthatches  and  Tits, 220,248,249 

Sylviidse— The  Kinglets  and  Gnatcatchers, 222,248 

Turdidse— The  Thrushes,  Bluebirds,  etc., 223,249 

Appendix, . 229 

Index, 251 


LIST  OF  PLATES. 


Plates 

1.  Figures  illustrating  terms  used  in  descriptions. 

2.  Horned  Grebe  (Colymbus  auritus). 

3.  Hooded  Merganser  (Lophodytes  cucullatus). 

4.  Wood  Duck  (Aix  sponsa). 

5.  American  Bittern  (Botaurus  lentiginosus). 

6.  Black-crowned  Xight  Heron  (Nycticorax  nycticorax  ncevius). 

7.  Sora  (Porzana  Carolina). 

8.  American  Coot  (Fulica  americana). 

9.  Wilson's  Snipe  (Gallinago  delicqta). 

10.  Solitary  Sandpiper  (Totanus  solitarius). 

11.  Killdeer  (^gialitis  rod/era). 

12.  Bob-white  or  Partridge  (Colinus  virginianus). 

13.  Marsh  Hawk  (Circus  hudsonius'). 

14.  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  (Accipiter  velox}.) 

15.  Red-tailed  Hawk  (Buteo  borealis). 

16.  Fig.  1.  Broad-winged  Hawk  (Buteo  latissimus). 

2,  3.  Sparrow  Hawk  (Falco  sparverius). 

17.  Barn  Owl  (Strix  pratincola). 

18.  Screech  Owl  (Megascops  asio). 

19.  Great  Horned  Owl  (Bubo  virginianus). 

20.  Belted  Kingfisher  (Ceryle  alcyon), 

21.  Red-headed  Woodpecker  (Melanerpes  erythrocephalv*). 

22.  Flicker  (Colaptes  auratus). 

23.  Fig.  1.  Xighthawk  (Chordeiles  virginianus). 

2.  Whip-poor-will  (Antrostomus  vociferus). 

24.  Kingbird  (Tyrannus  tyrannus). 

25.  Blue  Jay  (Cyanocitta  cristata). 

26.  Bobolink  or  Reedbird  (Dolichonyx  oryzivorus). 

27.  Red-winged  Blackbird  (Agelaiusphosniceus). 

28.  Meadow  Lark  (Sturnella  magna). 

29.  Baltimore  Oriole  ( Icterus  galbula). 

30.  Fig.  1,  2.  Purple  Finch  (Carpodacus purpureus). 

3.  Chipping  Sparrow  (Spizella  socialis). 

4.  Song  Sparrow  (Melospizafasciata) 

31.  Fig.  1.  American  Goldfinch  (Spinus  tri&tis). 

2.  Pine  Finch  (Spinus  pinus). 

3.  Fox  Sparrow  (Passerella  iliaca). 

32.  Fig.  1.  Vesper  Sparrow  (Pooccetes  gramineus). 

2.  Field  Sparrow  (Spizella  pusilla} . 

3.  Yellow-winged  Sparrow  (Ammodramus  savannarumpasserinus). 

33.  Fig.  1,  2.  English  Sparrow  (Passer  domesticus). 

3,  4.  Snowbird  (Junco  hyemalis}. 

34.  Cardinal  or  Winter  Red-bird  (Cardinalis  cardinalis). 

35.  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak  (Habia  ludomciana). 

36.  Indigo  Bunting  (Passerina  cyanea). 

37.  Scarlet  Tanager  (Piranga  erythromelas). 

38.  Tree  or  White  Bellied  Swallow  (Tachycineta  bicolor), 

(vii) 


viii  LIST  OP  PLATES. 

39.  Cedar  Waxwing  (Ampelis  cedrorum). 

40.  Red-eyed  Yireo  (  Vireo  olivaceus}. 

41.  Yellow  Warbler  (JDendroica  cestiva). 

42.  Maryland  Yellow-throat  (  Geothlypis  trich,as). 

43.  American  Redstart  (Setophaga,  ruticilla). 

44.  Brown  Thrush  (Harporhynchus  rufus) 

45.  House  Wren  (  Troglodytes  cuedori) 

46.  White-breasted  Nuthatch  (Sitta,  carolinensis). 

47.  Chickadee  or  Black-cap  Titmouse  (Parus  atricapillus'). 

48.  Golden-crested  or  Crowned  Kinglet  (Regulus  satrapa). 

49.  American  Robin  (Merula  migrator ia). 

50.  Bluebird  (8ialia  sialis). 


INTRODUCTION. 


In  this  present  work  I  have  given  the  Classification,  Nomenclature 
and  Habitat  (Geographical  limits)  found  in  the  A.  0.  U.  Check  List 
of  North  American  Birds*,  a  publication  representing  the  joint  labors 
of  a  "Committee  on  Classification  and  Nomenclature "  appointed  by 
the  Union  at  its  first  Congress,  held  in  New  York  city,  September  26- 
29, 1883.  This  Committee  consisting  of  such  eminent  naturalists  as 
Dr.  Elliott  Coues,  J.  A.  Allen,  Robert  Ridgway,  William  Brewster, 
and  H.  W.  Henshaw,  assisted  by  Dr.  Leonhard  Stejneger,  was  most 
competent  to  recommend  the  many  changes,  etc.,  which  were  adopted 
and  published  by  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union. 

The  numbers  (other  than  in  the  Appendix)  preceding  the  scientific 
names  correspond  strictly  with  those  of  the  A.  0.  U.  Check  List. 

The  descriptions  (specific  characters)  have  in  some  instances  been 
taken  from  u  Birds  of  North  America,"  by  my  late  lamented  friend, 
Prof.  S.  F.  Baird ;  others  have  been  compiled,  in  part,  from  the  works  of 
Dr.  Elliott  Coues  \  and  Robert  Ridgway  J,  which  are  recognized  as  the 
standard  text  books  on  North  American  Ornithology.  Such  descrip- 
tions as  have  been  taken  in  their  entirety  or  in  part  from  other  writ- 
ers, have  been  used,  as  they  are  far  better  than  those  which  I  could 
give  from  the  limited  number  of  specimens  in  my  possession. 

'The  Code  of  Nomenclature  |  and  |  Check  List  |  of  North  American  Birds.  |  Adopted  by  the 
American  Ornithologists1  Union.  |  Being  the  Report  of  the  Committee  of  the  Union  on  Classifica- 
tion and  Nomenclature.  |  (Motto).  | ]  New  York :  |  American  Ornithologists'  Union.  |  1886.  [8 

vo.,  pp.  i-viii,  1-392.  For  sale  by  L.  S.  Foster,  No.  35  Pine  street,  New  York  city.  Price  §3.00. 

t  Key  |  to  |  North  American  Birds,  I  containing  a  concise  account  of  every  species  of  living  and 
fossil  bird  at  present  known  from  the  continent  north  of  the  Mexican  and  United  States  boun- 
dary, inclusive  of  Greenland  and  lower  California,  |  with  which  are  incorporated  |  General  Oral' 
thology.  |  An  outline  of  the  structure  and  classification  of  birds  |  and  |  Field  Ornithology  |  a  man- 
ual of  collecting,  preparing,  and  preserving  birds  |  The  third  edition  |  exhibiting  the  new  nomen- 
clature  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union,  and  including  descriptions  of  additional  species, 
etc.  |  By  Elliott  Coues,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  Ph.  D.,  etc.  |  Profusely  illustrated  |  (pp.  i-x.  i-xxx,  1-895)  | 
Boston  (Mass).  I  Estes  and  Lauriat.  \  1887.  |  [Price  $7.50]. 

$  A  |  manual  I  of  |  North  American  Birds,  |  by  Robert  Ridgway  (Curator  Department  of  Birds 
U.  S.  National  Museum  and  Smithsonian  Institution,  Washington,  D.  C.).  |  Illustrated  by  464  out- 
line drawings  of  the  generic  characters.  |  Philadelphia  |  J.  B.  Lippincot  Company.  |  1877.  |  [pp.  i- 
xi,  1-631.  Price  $7.50,  H.  K.  Coale,  agent,  Chicago,  Illinois.] 

(ix) 


x  INTRODUCTION. 

In  order  that  the  descriptions  of  birds  on  the  succeeding  pages  may 
be  clearly  understood,  the  figures  on  Plate  1,  with  the  following  ex- 
planations are  given  : 

1.  Maxilla  or  upper  mandible. 

2.  Lower  mandible. 

3.  Forehead ;  also  called  front  and  frons. 

4.  Iris  (Plural  irides):  Colored  circle  of  the  eye  around  the  "dark 

spot"  or  pupil. 

5.  Upper  part  of  throat  including  chin. 

6.  Lower  part  of  throat  or  foreneck :  Jugulum 

7.  Breast  or  pectus,  also  spoken  of  as  pectoral  region. 

8.  Wing-coverts  (Greater,  Middle  and  Lesser). 

9.  Bastard  or  spurious  wing  or  Alula  composed  of  the  feathers  grow- 

ing on  the  so-called  thumb. 

10.  Occiput ;  back  part  of  head. 

11.  Tertiaries,  Tertials,  or  tertiary  quills  are  the  large  inner  quills 

that  grow  from  the  humerus  (arm-bone)  or  elbow,  and  in  the 
closed  wing  are  generally  concealed  by  the  longer  scapular 
feathers. 

12.  Scapulars  or  scapular  feathers. 

13.  Abdomen  or  belly ;  under  surface  of  body  from  breast-bone  to 

vent. 

14.  Lower  tail  coverts  ;  crissum. 

15.  Crown  or  top  of  head. 

A.  Culmen.    The  ridge  of  upper  mandible. 

B.  Cere.    The  naked  skin  at  base  of  bill,  well  shown  in  Hawks. 

C.  Lore  or  loral  space  between  the  bill  and  eye. 

D.  Gape  or  rictus. 

S.  Commissure  ;  outlines  of  closed  bill. 

The  additional  technical  terms  —  the  definitions  of  some  of  which 
are  compiled  from  ^Ridgway^s  Nomenclature  of  Colors"* — are  also 
employed. 

Ear-coverts  or  Auriculars.    Feathers  covering  the  ear-opening.    Axilla.    Arm-pit. 

Alar  extent.  Measurement  of  outstretched  wings.  Axillaries  or  Axillars  The  (generally)  soft 
and  lengthened  feathers  growing  from  the  armpit :  Adult.  This  term  is  applied  to  individuals 
which  have  attained  full  or  mature  plumage  ( "  a  bird  may  be  adult  as  regards  organization  with- 
out being  of  adult  plumage  "  ) :  Bend  of  the  Wing.  Angle  or  prominence  formed  at  the  carpus 

*A  |  Nomenclature  of  Colors  |  for  naturalists  |  and  |  compendium  of  useful  knowledge  |  for  or- 
nithologists, |  by  Robert  Ridgway,  |  curator.  Department  of  Birds,  United  States  National  Mu- 
seum, |  with  ten  colored  plates  and  seven  plates  of  outline  illustrations.  |  Boston:  |  Little,  Brown, 
and  Company.  |  1886.  |  Price  f3.,OQ,  :  ', 


Plate  I. 


k  I 


Uocs. 


•**•      I  "  '.,.'---- 


Dr' 


INTRODUCTION.  xi 

or  wrist  joint,  in  the  folded  wing :  Basal.  Relating  to  the  base,  as  basal  portion  of  tail  or  quills, 
etc.:  C7n'7i.  The.space  between  the  forks  or  ram  i  of  the  lower  mandible  or  jaw:  Carpus.  The 
wrist  or  space  between  the  bend  and  hand-joint  of  the  wing  :  Carpal.  Pertaining  to  the  carpus : 
Cerrix.  The  hind-neck ;  from  occiput  to  the  beginning  of  back,  including  the  nape  and  scruff  : 
<<L  Pertaining  to  the  cervix:  Cheek.  "An  arbitrary  sub-division  of  the  side  of  the  head, 
differently  employed  by  various  writers,  but  usually  corresponding  to  the  malar  region,  or  the 
feathered  portion  of  the  lower  jaw:"  Compressed.  Narrowed  sideways;  higher  than  wide: 
Lengthened  feathers  on  top  of  the  head :  Decomposed.  Separated  or  standing  apart :  De- 
cumbent. Bending  or  hanging  downward :  Ear-tufts.  Lengthened  and  erectile  tufts  of  feathers 
springing  from  the  sides  of  crown  or  forehead  ;  well  shown  in  certain  owls,  and  the  Horned  Lark : 
Emarginated.  Notched  at  the  end ;  an  "  emarginate  taU  has  the  middle  feather  shortest,  the  rest 
successively  a  little  longer ;  hence  an  emarginate  tail  is  very  slightly  forked.  An  emarginate  quill 
has  the  web  suddenly  narrowed  by  an  abmipt  cutting  away  of  the  edge :"  Erectile.  Capable  of 
being  raised,  as  a  crest :  Falcate.  Sickle-shaped ;  scythe-shaped :  Femoral.  Pertaining  to  the 
thigh,  or  part  of  leg  from  knee  to  hip  :  Flanks.  Most  posterior  feathers  on  sides  of  trunk :  Form. 
"  In  a  special  sense,  a  sort  of  non-committal  term  frequently  used  by  modern  writers  to  designate 
what  is  of  doubtful  rank.  The  term  *  form  '  is  thus  used  for  what  may  prove  to  be  a  species,  or 
may  be  only  a  race,  but  as  to  the  rank  of  which  the  author  is  in  doubt.'' 

Fuscous.  A  dark  brown  color :  Genus.  "An  assemblage  of  species  which  agree  in  the  posses- 
sion of  certain  characters  distinguishing  them  from  otherwise  allied  forms.  (In  taxonomic  value 
a  genus  ranks  next  below  a  sub-family.)"  Gorget.  Throat-patch,  distinguished  by  color  or  text- 
ure of  the  feathers ;  as  the  gorget  of  a  Humming  bird :  Gonys.  Keel  or  outline  of  bill  from  tip- 
to  point  where  the  mandibular  rami  begin  to  diverge  :  Ground-color.  The  prevailing  color  of  the 
general  surface  of  the  egg-shell :  Gula.  The  throat ;  Gular.  Pretaining  to  the  throat  or  upper 
foreneck  :  Family.  "A  systematic  group  in  scientific  classification,  embracing  a  greater  or  less 
number  of  genera  which  agree  in  certain  characters  not  shared  by  other  birds  of  the  same  order. 
In  rank,  a  Family  stands  between  Order  and  Genus,  the  former  being  composed  of  a  greater  or 
less  number  of  nearly  related  families.  In  zoological  nomenclature  the  name  of  a  Family  is 
taken  from  a  typical  Genus,  the  name  of  which  is  modified  by  the  termination  idee.  Sub-famil- 
ies are  distinguished  by  the  termination  ince. :  "  Hooded.  A  bird  is  said  to  be  Hooded  when  the 
feathers  of  the  head  are  markedly  different  in  color  from  the  rest  of  the  plumage,  as  the  Hooded 
Merganser  and  Warbler  (Sylvan  ia  mitrata):  Immature.  This  term  is  applied  to  a  bird  which  has 
not  attained  the  mature  or  adult  plumage:  Incubation.  The  act  of  sitting  on  eggs  for  the  pur- 
pose of  hatching  young  :  Lanceolate.  Shaped  like  a  lancehead  :  Leg.  Used  generally  as  synony- 
mous with  tarsus  often  written  "legs  and  feet"  otherwise  tarsi  and  toes :  Linear.  Narrow  with 
straight  parallel  edges  or  sides :  Lower  parts  and  Under  parts.  These  terms  refer  to  the  whole 
under  surface  of  a  bird  from  the  chin  to  the  crissum  :  Malar  Region.  A  well  defined,  and  gen- 
erally feathered  space,  extending  from  base  of  bill,  to  side  of  neck  bounded  above  by  lores  and 
auriculars,  and  below  by  chin  and  throat :  Nape  or  Nucha.  Upper  part  of  hind-neck,  next  to  the 
occiput:  Nuchal.  Pertaining  to  the  Nucha  :  Occipital.  Pertaining  to  the  occiput :  Orbit.  The 
region  around  the  eye  :  Order.  "In  natural  history,  a  group  of  families  possessing  in  common 
peculiar  characteristics  :  Parasitic.  This  term  is  applied  to  the  Cow  Blackbird  >.Molotlirus  ater) 
in  this  country,  and  also  to  the  European  Cuckoo  (Cuculus  canorus)  which  habitually  make  use 
of  the  nests  birds  to  which  are  left  the  duties  of  incubation  and  rearing  the  young  :  Pyriform. 
Pear-shaped:  Quadrate.  Square:  Ramus  (plural  rami)  branch  or  fork  of  the  lower  mandible ; 
the  chin  is  bounded  on  the  sides  bj*  the  rami.  Race.  "A  nascent  species  or  a  'form'  which  on  ac- 
count of  the  existence  of  intermediate  specimens  cannot  be  considered  a  species,  no  matter  how 
great  a  degree  of  differentiation  may  have  been  reached.  Races  are  distinguished  as  'Geograph- 
ical' and  'Local'  according  as  to  whether  they  occupy  extensive  or  limited  areas  of  country.  Geo- 
graphical races  are  usually  correlative  with  definite  geographical  areas,  being  in  fact,  the  ex- 
pression of  geographical  variation  :"  Recurved.  Bent  or  curved  upward :  Rufous.  A  brownish- 
red  color:  Scutellate.  Having  transverse  scales  on  tarsus  or  toes:  Semipalmate  or  Scmipalmatcd. 
Half-webbed :  having  a  membrane  between  the  front  toes,  reaching  about  half-way  to  their 
ends :  Shaft.  The  stem  or  middle  part  of  a  feather :  Specie*.  "The  aggregate  of  individuals  re- 
lated by  generic  descent,  and  differing  constantly  in  certain  features  whereby  they  are  distin- 
guished from  all  other  beings :"  Speculum.  A  brightly  colored  area  on  the  secondaries,  particularly 
of  ducks ;  Spurious.  Bastard;  imperfect;  false;  rudimentary:  Spurious  quill.  Applied  to  the 
first  primary  when  very  short :  Sub-orbital.  Below  the  eye  :  Supra-orbital :  Above  the  eye : 
Sub-order.  "A  group  intermediate  in  taxonomic  rank  between  an  order  and  a  family :"  Supercil- 
liary.  Refers  to  the  region  above  the  eye  (eye-brow)  as  a  streak  of  black,  white,  etc.,  over  the 
eye  :  Totipalmate.  Having  all  toes  webbed  :  Variety.  "Properly,  an  individual  or  unusual  and 
irregular  variation  from  the  normal  type  of  form  or  coloration,  as  the  various  breeds  or  'strains' 
of  domestic  animals.  But  the  term  is  often,  though  improperly  applied  to  subspecies,  or  geo- 
graphical races."  Web.  The  thin  part  or  vane  of  a  feather  on  either  side  of  the  shaft. 

To  Mr.  Benjamin  M.  Everhart,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  a  gentleman 


xii  INTRODUCTION. 

well  known  in  scientific  circles,  as  a  botanist,  I  am  greatly  indebted 
for  much  valuable  assistance  in  the  preparation  of  this  report. 

In  conclusion,  it  may  be  stated  that  the  ornithologist  has  had  no 
disposition  to  disregard  the  law  limiting  this  report  to  a  certain  num- 
ber of  pages,  but  found  it  impracticable,  in  consequence  of  the  fact 
that  the  avi-fauna  of  Pennsylvania  embraces  over  three  hundred  spe- 
cies and  sub-species,  to  give  the  required  descriptions,  etc.,  without  ex- 
ceeding the  limit.  While  the  report  exceeds  by  a  few  pages  the  limit 
given  in  the  act  authorizing  its  publication,  I  would  add  that  over 
two  hundred  and  fifty  pages  of  the  manuscript  originally  intended 
for  the  publication,  have  been  dropped  with  a  view  of  keeping 
within  the  prescribed  limit.  Although  obliged  to  eliminate  much 
matter  relating  to  the  feathered  tribes,  I  have  endeavored  to  give  a 
brief  history  of  the  birds  which  are  most  common  and  generally  met 
with,  and  in  the  Appendix  have  given  a  list  of  all  birds  occurring  (so 
far  as  can  be  ascertained  from  reliable  sources)  in  the  Keystone  Com- 
monwealth. 

B.  H.  WARREN. 
CHESTER,  PA.,  Nov.  1,  1888. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


ORDER  PYGOPODES.   DIVING  BIRDS. 

SUBORDER   PODICIPEDES.    GREBES. 
FAMILY   PODICIPID.fl3.     GREBES. 
GENUS   COLYMBUS.     LINN^IUS. 
3.    Colymbus  auritus  (LiNN.). 

Horned  Grebe. 

DESCRIPTION.     {Plate  2.) 

Adult. — Upper  part  of  the  head,  cheeks,  throat,  and  ruff,  glossy-black;  abroad 
band  running  from  the  bill  over  the  eyes,  and  the  elongated  occipital  tufts  behind 
them,  yellowish-red,  deepest  in  color  adjoining  the  bill ;  upper  surface  brownish- 
black  ;  the  feathers  margined  with  gray ;  primaries  brownish-ash ;  secondaries 
mostly  white,  some  of  the  outer  ones  dark-ash  ;  the  fore-neck  and  upper  part  of  the 
breast  bright  chestnut-red,  sides  of  the  same  color,  intermixed  with  dusky ;  abdo- 
men silky-white ;  bill  bluish-black,  yellow  at  the  tip  ;  loral  space  bright-carmine  • 
iris  carmine,  with  an  inner  circle  of  white ;  tarsi  and  feet  dusky-gray  externally, 
<lull-yellow  internally,  and  on  both  edges  of  the  tarsus. 

Young.—  The  whole  upper  plumage  grayish-black,  darkest  on  the  head,  feathers 
of  the  back  with  gray  margins  ;  throat,  sides  of  the  head,  a  broad  space  on  the  sides 
of  the  neck,  nearly  meeting  behind,  breast,  and  abdomen,  silvery  white ;  sides  and 
lower  part  of  abdomen  dusky. 

Length  about  14  inches ;  wing,  5£  ;  bill,  1 ;  tarsi,  If. 

Habitat. — Northern  Hemisphere.  Breeds  from  Northern  United  States  north- 
ivard. 

This  species  is  recorded  as  quite  a  common  winter  resident  through- 
out the  United  States,  and  although  sometimes  found  nesting  within 
our  northern  limits,  it  retires  chiefly  north  of  the  United  States  during 
the  breeding  period.  Audubon  found  nests  in  Ohio,  near  Lake  Erie ; 
Dr.  Coues  (Birds  of  the  Northwest)  mentions  that  he  has  found  it 
breeding  at  various  points  in  northern  Dakota,  and  Mr.  E.  A.  Samuels 
records  it  as  nesting  in  more  northern  latitudes  than  New  England. 
Jn  Pennsylvania,  the  Horned  Grebe  is  an  irregular  sojourner,  from 
1  BIRDS. 


2  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

about  the  middle  of  October  until  early  in  April,  and  like  other  of  the 
Grebes  has  a  common  habit,  when  apprehensive  of  danger,  of  sinking 
into  the  water  and  swimming  off  with  nothing  but  its  head  above  the 
surface.  The  stomach-contents  of  several  of  these  birds  which  I  have 
examined  consisted  mainly  of  sand,  remains  of  fish  and  portions  of 
green-colored  aquatic  plants.  In  the  stomachs  of  two  specimens  I 
have  found,  in  addition  to  other  food-stuffs,  small  ball-like  masses  of 
feathers. 

GENUS   PODILYMBUS.     LESSON. 
6.    Podilymbus  podiceps  (LINN.). 

Pied-billed  Grebe. 

DESCRIPTION. 

A dult.—  Upper  plumage  very  dark  brown  ;  primaries  dark-ash  ;  secondaries  ash 
on  the  outer  webs,  and  white  on  the  inner  ;  bill  pale-blue,  dusky  on  the  ridge  of  the 
upper  mandible,  both  mandibles  crossed  with  a  broad  black  band,  including  the 
nostrils ;  chin  and  throat  marked  with  a  conspicuous  black  patch  nearly  two  inches 
in  extent ;  cheeks,  and  sides  of  the  neck  brownish-gray ;  lower  part  of  the  neck, 
upper  part  of  the  breast,  and  the  sides,  dull  rusty-brown,  spotted  and  rather  indis- 
tinctly barred  with  brownish-black  ;  lower  part  of  breast  and  abdomen  grayish- 
white,  mottled  with  dusky  spots  ;  iris  brown  ;  tarsi  and  feet  grayish-black. 

Young. — The  throat  is  white  and  the  bill  without  the  transverse  black  band,  the 
under  plumage  more  silvery-white  ;  in  other  respects  the  same  as  the  adult ;  some 
specimens,  probably  the  birds  of  the  year,  have  whitish  lines  on  the  sides  of  the 
head. 

Length,  14  inches  ;  wing,  5|  ;  bill,  I ;  tarsus,  1|. 

Hab. — British  Provinces,  southward  to  Brazil,  Buenos  Ayres  and  Chili,  including; 
the  West  Indies  and  the  Bermudas,  breeding  nearly  throughout  its  range. 

The  Pied-billed  Grebe,  although  sometimes  said  to  breed  in  Penn- 
sylvania, is  seldom  found  here  during  the  breeding  season.  I  have 
observed  this  bird  only  as  a  winter  visitant,  not  uncommon,  arriving 
usually  about  the  middle  of  September  and  departing  early  in  April. 
The  food  of  this  species  is  similar  to  that  of  the  Horned  Grebe. 

NOTE. — In  relation  to  the  Grebes  in  general  it  may  be  stated  that 
these  paddle-toed  birds  unless  flying  are  always  to  be  seen  in  the 
water.  They  swim  and  dive  with  the  utmost  facility;  when  swim- 
ming beneath  the  water's  surface  it  is  said  they  use  their  wings  in  the 
same  manner  as  when  flying  in  the  air.  Their  well-known  habit  of 
diving  when  alarmed,  and  particularly  if  shot  at,  has  won  for  them 
the  common  name  of  "  Hell-divers."  The  Grebes  are  found  chiefly 
in  this  Commonwealth  as  winter  visitants.  During  excessively  cold 
weather  they  forsake  our  streams  and  ponds  and  migrate  southward. 
Though  not  numerous,  they  are  by  no  means  rare  about  the  larger 
streams  and  ponds.  Although  these  birds  generally  occur  singly,  oc- 
casionally four  or  five  individuals  may  be  observed  together. 

Grebes  feed  chiefly  on  fish,  aquatic  insects,  and,  to  a  limited  extent, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  3 

on  various  water  plants.  They  confer  no  especial  benefits,  nor  are 
they  in  any  particular  detrimental  to  agricultural  interests.  Their 
flesh  is  seldom  eaten ;  the  feathers,  however,  are  considerably  used  by 
milliners,  and  for  the  manufacture  of  muffs,  etc.  For  these  purposes 
the  beautiful  silvery-white  plumage  of  the  breast  and  abdomen  are 
mostly  taken. 


SUBORDER  CEPPHI.     LOONS,  ETC. 

FAMILY   URINATORIDJE.     LOONS. 

GENUS  TJRINATOR.     CUVIER. 
7.    Urinator  imber  (GUNN.). 

Loon :  Great  Northern  Diver. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  compressed,  strong  and  tapering,  outline  or  upper  mandible  nearly  straight, 
very  slightly  curved  ;  the  lower  mandible  has  a  groove  underneath,  running  from 
the  junction  of  the  crura  towards  the  point ;  the  tail  consists  of  twenty  feathers. 

Ailult. — The  head  and  neck  are  dark  bluish-green,  the  upper  part  and  sides  of  the 
head  glossed  with  purple  ;  there  is  a  small  transverse  mark  on  the  throat,  composed 
of  white  feathers  of  a  quill-like  form,  distinct  from  each  other,  and  placed  longitu- 
dinally on  each  side  of  the  neck  ;  lower  down  are  larger  patches  of  white,  of  the  same 
peculiar  form,  and  running  in  the  same  direction ;  these  almost  meet  behind,  and  in 
front  are  about  one  inch  apart ;  the  effect  of  these  pure  wThite  feathers,  relieved  by 
the  dark  color  of  the  neck,  is  very  beautiful  ;  the  upper  plumage  and  wing  coverts 
are  deep  glossy-black,  beautifully  marked  with  pure-white  spots  placed  in  regular 
transverse  rows,  slightly  curving  downwards :  these  spots,  on  the  upper  part  of  the 
back,  are  small  and  nearly  round,  but,  as  they  descend  lower  on  the  back,  increase 
in  size,  and  become  quadrangular  in  form,  being  largest  on  the  scapularies ;  on  the 
lower  part  of  the  back,  upper  tail  coverts,  and  sides  (which  are  black),  the  spots  are 
small  and  round ;  the  sides  of  the  neck,  near  the  shoulder,  are  beautifully  lineated 
with  black  and  white;  the  primaries,  secondaries,  and  tail,  brownish-black;  the 
under  surface  glossy-white,  with  a  narrow  band  of  dusky  feathers  crossing  the  lower 
part  of  the  abdomen,  and  marked  with  small  white  spots  :  lower  tail  coverts  blackish- 
brown,  tipped  with  white  ;  bill  black  ;  iris  deep  bright-red  ;  tarsi  and  feet  grayish- 
blue  externally,  tinged  on  the  inside  with  pale-yellowish  red  ;  webs  brownish-black  ; 
claws  black. 

Young. — The  plumage  above  is  grayish-black,  the  feathers  of  the  back  margined 
with  grayish-white,  the  under  plumage  pure-white ;  bill  \  ellowish,  with  the  ridge 
of  the  upper  mandible  dusky  ;  iris  brown. 

Length,  31  inches  ;  wing,  14  ;  tarsus,  3£  ;  bill,  3  ;  height  at  base,  1  inch. 

Hob. — Northern  part  of  Northern  Hemisphere.  In  North  America  breeds  from 
the  northern  tier  of  States  northward  ;  ranges  in  winter  south  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

This  bird,  the  largest  of  all  the  Divers,  is  about  as  large  as  a  medium - 
sized  domestic  goose.  Loons  are  abundant  on  the  Atlantic  coast  and 
about  the  lakes  and  large  rivers  in  the  interior ;  oftentimes  solitary 
birds  (mostly  in  immature  plumage)  are  observed,  during  the  winter 
season,  frequenting  our  smaller  streams  and  mill-ponds.  The  Loon, 


4  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA, 

ever  cautious  and  vigilant,  will  dive  at  the  flash  of  a  gun  and  proceed 
under  the  water  to  a  very  considerable  distance  before  reappearing. 
These  birds,  it  is  said,  when  endeavoring  to  elude  their  enemies,  and 
also,  at  times,  when  in  quest  of  food,  swim  under  the  water  with  greater 
rapidity  than  they  fly  through  the  air.  "  Far  out  at  sea  in  winter,  and 
in  the  great  western  lakes,  particularly  Huron  and  Michigan  in  sum- 
mer, I  have  often  heard,  on  a  fine,  calm  morning,  the  sad  and  wolfish 
call  of  the  solitary  loon,  which,  like  a  dismal  echo,  seems  slowly  to 
invade  the  ear.  and  rising  as  it  proceeds,  dies  away  in  the  air.  This 
boding  sound  to  mariners,  supposed  to  be  indicative  of  a  storm,  may 
be  heard  sometimes  for  two  or  three  miles,  when  the  bird  itself  is  in- 
visible, or  reduced  almost  to  a  speck  in  the  distance." — Nuttall. 

The  stomach-contents  of  five  Loons,  captured  during  the  winter 
months  in  Chester  and  Delaware  counties,  Pa.,  consisted  entirely  of 
fish-bones  and  scales;  two  other  specimens,  purchased  in  the  winter 
of  1881  from  a  game  dealer  in  Philadelphia,  were  found  to  have  fed 
on  small  seeds  and  portions  of  plants,  apparently  roots. 


ORDER  ANSERES  LAMELLIROSTRAL    SWIMMERS. 

FAMILY   ANATID^E.     DUCKS,  GEESE,  ETC. 
SUBFAMILY  MERGING.     MERGANSERS.* 
GENUS   MERGANSER.     BRISSON. 
129.    Merganser  americanus  (CASS). 

American  Merganser;  Goosander;  Sheldrake;  Fish  Duclc. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Feathers  of  the  forehead  extending  on  the  bill  in  an  acute  angle  for  half  the  dis- 
tance between  those  on  the  sides  and  the  nostril ;  outline  of  those  on  the  sides  nearly 
vertical,  and  reaching  only  a  little  beyond  the  beginning  of  lower  edge  of  bill,  but 
as  far  as  those  on  the  side  of  lower  jaw ;  nostril  large,  far  forward,  its  middle  oppo- 
site the  middle  of  the  commissure. 

Male.—  Head  without  conspicuous  crest ;  head  and  neck  green  ;  forepart  of  back 
black  ;  beneath  salmon-color ;  wings  mostly  white,  crossed  by  one  band  of  black ; 
sides  scarcely  barred  transversely;  iris  red  or  yellowish. 

Female. — Head  with  a  compressed  occipital  crest ;  head  and  neck  chestnut,  above 
ashy;  beneath  salmon-colored;  white  of  greater  coverts  with  a  terminal  bar  of  ashy 
(sometimes  wanting);  the  black  of  base  of  secondaries  entirely  concealed  ;  outer  ter- 
tials  ash. 

*  The  Mergansers  or  Fishing  Ducks  are  probably  the  most  common  of  all  "  Wild  Ducks  "  about 
our  smaller  streams  and  ponds  during  the  winter  season.  Mergansers  can  easily  be  recognized 
by  the  bill,  which  is  long  (two  inches  or  more  in  length),  hooked,  almost  cylindrical,  quite  slender 
and  furnished  with  saw-like  teeth.  Like  the  Loons  and  Grebes,  these  birds  are  most  proficient 
divers;  when  swimming  under  the  water  they  employ  their  wings  in  the  same  manner  as  in  tiy- 
ing  in  the  air.  Mergansers  subsist  almost  wholly  on  fish. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  5 

Head  without  conspicuous  crest,  though  one  is  visible  in  life.  Head  and  most  of 
neck  all  round  very  dark-green ;  rest  of  neck  and  the  body  generally,  except  the 
upper  part,  creamy-white,  deepening  to  salmon-red  beneath.  Lower  part  of  back, 
rump,  and  tail  feathers,  plumbeous  ;  forepart  of  back,  interscapular  region,  and  inner 
scapulars,  black. 

Length,  26.50  inches;  wing,  11;  tarsus,  1.84;  commissure,  2.90  inches. 

Hab. — North  America  generally,  breeding  south  to  the  northern  United  States. 

Mr.  E.  A.  Samuels  ( Our  Northern  and  Eastern  Birds)  states  that 
this  species  u  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  summer  residents  in  the 
lake  region  of  northern  Maine,  and  about  the  Umbagog  lakes  and 
Richardson  lakes  it  is  the  most  common  Duck."  In  former  years  the 
Sheldrakes  unquestionably  bred  in  various  sections  of  Pennsylvania ; 
of  late  years,  however,  from  all  the  information  I  can  obtain,  these 
birds  rarely,  if  ever,  occur  here  during  the  season  of  reproduction. 
Nuttall  narrates  the  following  interesting  account  of  a  brood  of  these 
birds  which  he  found  in  this  State : 

"Early  in  the  month  of  May  (1832),  while  descending  the  Susque- 
hanna  near  Dunnstown,  a  few  miles  below  the  gorge  of  the  Alle- 
ghenies,  through  which  that  river  meanders  near  the  foot  of  Bald 
Eagle  mountain,  G.  Lyman,  Esq.,  and  myself  observed,  near  the  head 
of  a  little  bushy  island,  some  wild  Duck,  as  we  thought,  with  her 
brood  making  off  round  a  point  whicli  closed  the  view.  On  rowing  to 
the  spot,  the  wily  parent  had  still  continued  her  retreat,  and  we  gave 
chase  to  the  party,  which,  with  all  the  exertions  that  could  be  made 
rowing,  still  kept  at  a  respectable  distance  before  us.  We  now  per- 
ceived that  these  diminutive  possessors  of  their  natal  island  were  a 
female  Goosander,  with  a  small  but  active  little  brood  of  eight  young 
ones.  On  pushing  the  chase  for  near  half  an  hour,  the  young,  be- 
coming somewhat  fatigued,  drew  around  their  natural  protector,  who 
now  and  then  bore  them  along  crowding  on  her  back.  At  length, 
stealing  nearly  from  our  sight,  as  the  chase  relaxed,  the  mother  landed 
at  a  distance  on  the  gravelly  shore,  which,  being  nearly  of  her  own 
gray  color  and  that  of  her  family,  served  for  some  time  as  a  complete 
concealment.  When  we  approached  again,  however,  they  took  to  the 
water,  and  after  a  second  attempt,  in  which  the  young  strove  to  es- 
cape by  repeated  divings,  we  succeeded  in  cutting  off  the  retreat  of 
one  of  the  family,  which  was  at  tength  taken  from  behind  a  flat-boat, 
under  which  it  had  finally  retreated  to  hide.  We  now  examined  the 
little  stranger,  and  found  it  to  be  a  young  Merganser  of  this  species, 
not  bigger  than  the  egg  of  a  goose,  and  yet  already  a  most  elegant 
epitome  of  its  female  parent,  generally  gray,  with  the  rufous  head  and 
neck,  and  the  rudiments  of  a  growing  crest.  After  suffering  itself  to 
be  examined  with  great  calmness  and  without  any  apparent  fear,  we 
restored  it  to  its  more  natural  element,  and,  at  the  first  effort,  this 
little  diminutive  of  its  species  flew  under  the  water  like  an  arrow,  and 


6  BIEDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

coming  out  to  the  surface  only  at  considerable  distances  we  soon 
lost  sight  of  it,  making  good  its  aquatic  retreat  in  quest  of  the  parent. 
On  inquiry,  we  learned  from  the  tavern-keeper  that  for  several  years 
past  a  nest  or  brood  of  these  birds  had  annually  been  seen  near  this 
solitary  and  secluded  island."  This  species  has  been  found  breeding 
in  Perry  *  county,  Pa. 

Turnbull,  in  his  *'  Birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey," 
published  in  1869,  writing  of  this  species,  says :  "  Abundant  from  the 
beginning  of  November  to  April,  but  many  breed  in  the  interior  and 
are  resident." 

This  species,  like  all  other  of  our  "  wild  Ducks,"  is  exceedingly  shy 
and  difficult  to  approach.  According  to  Audubon,  u  the  food  of  the 
Goosander  consists  chiefly  of  fish,  but  also  of  bivalve  shells,  snails, 
leeches,  aquatic  lizards,  crays  and  frogs.  Its  voracity  is  great,  so  that 
it  consumes  an  extraordinary  quantity  of  fish.  I  have  found  fishes  in 
its  stomach  seven  inches  in  length,  and  of  smaller  kinds,  so  many  as 
to  weigh  more  than  half  a  pound.  Digestion  takes  place  with  great 
rapidity,  insomuch  that  some  which  I  have  had  in  captivity  devoured 
more  than  two  dozen  of  fishes  about  four  inches  in  length,  four  times 
daily,  and  yet  always  seemed  to  be  desirous  of  more." 

The  stomachs  of  six  of  these  birds,  which  I  have  examined,  contained 
only  the  remains  of  fish. 

130.    Merganser  serrator  (LINN.). 

Red-breasted  Merganser. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Feathers  of  the  forehead  extending  on  the  bill  in  a  short  obtuse  angle,  and  falling 
far  short  of  the  end  of  those  on  the  sides ;  the  outline  of  the  latter  sloping  rapidly 
forwards,  and  reaching  half- way  from  the  posterior  end  of  the  lower  edge  of  bill  to 
the  nostrils,  and  far  beyond  those  on  the  side  of  lower  jaw  ;  nostrils  narrow,  poste- 
rior ;  their  posterior  outline  opposite  the  end  of  basal  third  of  commissure. 

Male. — Head  with  conspicuous  pointed  occipital  crest;  head  and  upper  part  of 
neck,  all  around,  dark-green;  under  parts  reddish-white ;  jugulurn  reddish-brown, 
streaked  with  black;  sides  conspicuously  barred  transversely  with  fine  lines  of 
black  ;  feathers  anterior  to  wing  white,  margined  with  black ;  white  of  wing  crossed 
by  two  bars  of  black  ;  bill,  feet  and  eyes  red  ;  young  male  similar  to  female. 

Female.—  Head  with  compressed  occipital  crest ;  chestnut-brown ;  body  above 
ash  ;  beneath  reddish-white ;  the  black  at  base  of  secondaries  exposed  ;  outer  tertials 
white,  edged  with  black. 

Length,  23.35  inches;  wing,  8.60;  tarsus,  1.80;  commissure,  2.76. 

Hab.—  Northern  portions  of  Northern  Hemisphere ;  south  in  winter  throughout 
the  United  States. 

This  Merganser,  a  summer  resident  chiefly  of  high  northern  lati- 
tudes^ is  found  throughout  different  portions  of  the  United  States, 

*  List  of  Birds  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Carlisle,  Cumberland  County,  Pa.,  by  William  M.  and 
Spencer  F.  Baird,  published  April,  1844  ;  American  Journal  Sciences  and  Arts,  Vol.  XL  VI.  Here- 
after whenever  reference  is  made  to  the  Baird  List,  it  will  apply  to  this  publication. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  7 

principally  as  a  winter  visitant.  In  Pennsylvania  this  bird  is  not 
an  uncommon  sojourner  about  our  larger  streams,  etc  ,  from  late  in 
October  until  early  in  April.  The  Messrs.  Baird,  in  their  list  of  1844, 
mention  this  bird  as  a  native  of  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania;  Dr. 
Turnbull,  writing  in  1869,  also  says  that  a  few  breed  in  east  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  nest  and  eggs  are  described  by  Audubon,  as  follows :  u  In 
Labrador,  as  well  as  in  several  parts  of  the  United  States,  where  I 
have  found  the  nests,  they  were  placed  within  a  very  short  distance 
of  the  margins  of  fresh- water  ponds,,  among  rank  grasses  and  sedges 
or  beneath  low  bushes.  *  *  *  The  nest  is  made  of  dry  weeds  and 
mosses  of  various  kinds,  and  is  warmly  lined  with  down  from  the 
breast  of  the  female  bird,  for  the  male  leaves  her  as  soon  as  she  has 
completed  the  laying  of  the  eggs,  the  number  of  which  I  have  never 
found  to  exceed  ten,  they  being  more  frequently  six  or  eight.  It  is  a 
very  remarkable  fact  that  the  eggs  in  this  family  of  birds  are  usually 
even  in  number,  whereas  in  most  land  birds  they  are  odd.  *  *  * 
The  eggs  resemble  in  form  those  of  the  domestic  fowl,  and  are  of  a 
uniform  plain,  dull  yellowish  cream-color." 


GENUS   L.OPHODYTES.     REICHEXBACH. 
131.    Lophodytes  cucullatus  (LiNN.). 

Hooded  Merganser. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  8.) 

Head  with  an  elongated,  compressed,  semicircular  crest;  anterior  extremity  of 
nostril  reaching  not  quite  as  far  as  the  middle  of  commissure  ;  frontal  feathers  ex- 
tending nearly  as  far  as  half  the  distance  from  lateral  feathers  to  nostril ;  the  latter 
much  beyond  the  feathers  on  side  of  lower  mandible  ;  bill  shorter  than  head. 

Male.— Bill  black ;  head,  neck  and  back  black  ;  under  parts  and  center  of  crest 
white ;  sides  chestnut-brown,  barred  with  black  ;  white  anterior  to  the  wing,  crossed 
by  two  black  crescents  ;  lesser  coverts  gray ;  white  speculum  with  a  basal  and  me- 
dian black  bar;  black  tertials  streaked  centrally  with  white;  iris  yellow. 

Female.— With  a  shorter  and  more  pointed  crest;  the  head  and  neck  reddish- 
brown  ;  the  back  without  pure-black ;  the  sides  without  transverse  bars;  the  white 
of  wings  less  extended. 

Length,  17.50  inches;  wing,  7.90;  tarsus,  1.20;  commissure,  1.98  inches. 

Hob.— Xorth  America  generally,  south  to  Mexico  and  Cuba,  breeding  nearly 
throughout  its  range. 

This  handsome  bird,  the  smallest  of  all  the  Mergansers,  is  found 
generally  throughout  North  America.  Nut-tall  remarks  that  in  winter 
it  migrates  as  far  south  as  Mexico.  The  Hooded  Merganser  breeds  in 
various  portions  of  the  United  States,  and  also  far  northward.  Dr. 
Coues  (Birds  of  the  Northwest)  states  that  it  "breeds  in  northern 
Dakota  and  also  on  the  Upper  Missouri  and  Milk  rivers."  I  have 
seen  eggs  of  this  bird  which  were  labeled  '"  Maine,"  and  I  am  informed 
that  young,  but  a  few  days  old,  have  been  taken  in  New  York  State. 


8 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Although  I  have  only  observed  this  Duck  as  a  winter  visitant  in  Penn- 
sylvania, I  am  inclined  to  think  it  may  be  found  in  this  State  as  an 
occasional  breeder.  The  Messrs.  Baird  record  this  Merganser  as  a 
native  in  Perry  county.  Mr.  William  Rambo,  of  West  Chester,  has 
in  his  collection  a  pair  of  adult  birds  which  were  taken  two  years  ago, 
in  midsummer,  in  Union  county,  Pennsylvania.  "  The  Hooded  Mer- 
gansers that  remain  with  us  nestle  in  the  same  kind  of  holes  or  hol- 
lows as  the  Wood  Duck ;  at  least  I  have  found  their  nests  in  such  sit- 
uations seven  or  eight  times,  although  I  never  saw  one  of  them  alight 
on  the  branch  of  a  tree,  as  the  birds  just  mentioned  are  wont  to  do. 
They  dive  as  it  were  directly  into  their  wooden  burrows,  where,  on 
a  few  dried  weeds  and  feathers  of  different  kinds,  with  a 'small  quan- 
tity of  down  from  the  breast  of  the  female,  the  eggs,  five  to  eight  in 
number,  are  deposited.  The  young,  like  those  of  the  Wood  Duck,  are 
conveyed  to  the  water  by  their  mother,  who  carries  them  gently  in 
her  bill ;  for  the  male  takes  no  part  in  providing  for  his  offspring,  but 
abandons  his  mate  as  soon  as  incubation  has  commenced.  The  affec- 
tionate mother  leads  her  young  among  the  tall,  rank  grasses  which 
fill  the  shallow  pools  or  the  borders  of  creeks,  and  teaches  them  to 
procure  snails,  tadpoles  and  insects." — Audubon. 

I  have  noticed  that  the  Hooded  Mergansers  are  frequently,  in  fact 
generally,  to  be  found  about  mill-ponds  and  other  small  bodies  of 
water,  while  the  other  two  species  are  mostly  found  frequenting  the 
shallow  borders  of  the  larger  streams. 

FOOD. 

During  the  summer  months  these  birds  are  said  to  feed  on  fishes 
and  various  forms  of  aquatic  insects. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD  MATERIALS. 

1 
2 
.  3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 

November  23,  1881,        .    . 
December  24,  1882,        .    . 
January      —  ,  1883,        .    . 
January      —  ,  1883,        .    . 
February    20,  1884,        .    . 
April             3,  1884,        .    . 
March          26,  1887,        .    . 
March          26,  1887,        .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    .   .    . 
Philadelphia  Market,  Pa.,  . 
Philadelphia  Market,  Pa.,  . 
Philadelphia  Market,  Pa.,  . 
Delaware  county,  Pa., 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .... 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .... 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .... 

Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 

of  natural  size. 


Plate  4- 


i.  Male;  3,  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  9 

SUBFAMILY  ANATIN^E.     RIVEK  DUCKS. 

GENUS   AIX.     BOIE. 
144.    Aix  sponsa  (LrxN.). 

Summer  Duck;  "Wood  Duck;  Acom  I>uck. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  4.} 

Head  and  crest  metallic-green  to  below  the  eyes ;  the  cheeks,  and  a  stripe  from 
behind  the  eye,  purplish  :  a  narrow,  short  line  from  the  upper  angle  of  the  bill  along 
the  side  of  the  crown  and  through  the  crest,  another  on  the  upper  eyelid,  a  stripe 
starting  behind  and  below  the  eye,  and  running  into  the  crest  parallel  with  the  one 
first  mentioned,  the  chin  and  upper  part  of  the  throat  sending  a  well-defined  branch 
up  towards  the  eye,  and  another  towards  the  nape,  snowy-white;  lower  neck  and 
jugulum,  and  sides  of  the  base  of  tail,  rich-purple;  the  jugulum  with  triangular 
spots  of  white  and  a  chestnut  shade ;  remaining  under  parts  white,  as  is  a  crescent 
in  front  oi  the  wing  bordered  behind  by  black  ;  sides  yellow-gray,  finely  lined  with 
black  ;  the  long  feathers  of  the  flanks  broadly  black  at  the  end,  with  a  sub-terminal 
bar,  and  sometimes  a  tip  of  white ;  back  and  neck  above  nearly  uniform  bronzed- 
green  and  purple ;  scapulars  and  innermost  tertials  velvet-black,  glossed  on  the 
inner  webs  with  violet ;  the  latter  with  a  white  bar  at  the  end  ;  greater  coverts  vio- 
let, succeeded  by  a  greenish  speculum,  tipped  with  white ;  primaries  silvery-white 
externally  towards  the  end  ;  the  tips  internally  violet  and  purple  ;  iris  red  or  grayish. 

Female  with  the  wings  quite  similar ;  the  back  more  purplish  ;  the  sides  of  the 
head  and  neck  ashy  ;  the  region  round  the  base  of  the  bill,  a  patch  through  the  eyes, 
and  the  chin,  white;  the  purple  of  the  jugulum  replaced  by  brownish;  the  waved 
feathers  on  the  sides  wanting. 

Length,  19  inches ;  wing,  9.50 ;  tarsus,  1.40 ;  commissure,  1.54  inches. 

Hob. — Temperate  North  America,  breeding  throughout  its  range. 

The  Wood  Duck  is  a  resident,  and  breeds  in  various  sections  of  this 
Commonwealth.  During  the  breeding  season  it  generally  is  found 
about  streams  and  ponds  in  heavily-wooded  and  thinly- populated  dis- 
tricts. In  Pennsylvania  this  species  is  rare  in  winter  and  most  plen- 
tiful in  autumn.  The  Wood  Duck  is  an  abundant  winter  resident  in 
Florida,  where  it  also  breeds.  I  have  seen  downy  young  of  this  bird 
which  were  captured  late  in  March,  1885,  in  Orange  county,  Florida. 
"  The  Wood  Duck  breeds  in  the  Middle  States  about  the  beginning  of 
April,  in  Massachusetts  a  month  later,  and  in  Nova  Scotia,  or  on  our 
northern  lakes,  seldom  before  the  first  days  of  June.  In  Louisiana 
and  Kentucky,  where  I  have  had  better  opportunities  of  studying 
their  habits  in  this  respect,  they  generally  pair  about  the  first  of 
March,  sometimes  a  fortnight  earlier.  I  never  knew  one  of  these 
birds  to  form  a  nest  on  the  ground  or  on  the  branches  of  a  tree.  They 
appear  at  all  times  to  prefer  the  hollow,  broken  portion  of  some  large 
branch,  the  hole  of  our  large  Woodpecker,  or  the  deserted  retreat  of 
the  fox  squirrel ;  and  I  have  frequently  been  surprised  to  see  them  go 
in  and  out  of  a  hole  of  any  one  of  these,  when  their  bodies,  while  on 
the  wing,  seemed  to  be  nearly  half  as  large  again  as  the  aperature 
within  which  they  had  deposited  their  eggs.  Once  only  I  found  a 


10  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

nest  (with  ten  eggs)  in  the  fissure  of  a  rock,  on  the  Kentucky  river, 
a  few  miles  below  Frankfort,  Generally,  however,  the  holes  to  which 
they  betake  themselves  are  either  over  deep  swamps,  above  cane- 
brakes,  or  on  broken  branches  of  high  sycamores,  seldom  more  than 
forty  or  fifty  feet  from  the  water.  They  are  much  attached  to  their 
breeding-places,  and  for  three  successive  years  I  found  a  pair  near 
Henderson,  in  Kentucky,  with  the  eggs,  in  the  beginning  of  April,  in 
the  abandoned  nest  of  the  Ivory -billed  Woodpecker.  The  eggs,  which 
are  from  six  to  fifteen,  according  to  the  age  of  the  bird,  are  placed  on 
dry  plants,  feathers,  and  a  scanty  portion  of  down,  which  I  believe  is 
mostly  plucked  from  the  breast  of  the  female.  They  are  perfectly 
smooth,  nearly  elliptical,  of  a  light  color,  between  buff  and  pale  green, 
two  inches  in  length  by  one  and  a  half  in  diameter.  "  No  sooner  has 
the  female  completed  her  set  of  eggs  than  she  is  abandoned  by  her 
mate,  who  now  joins  others,  which  form  themselves  into  considerable 
flocks,  and  thus  remain  apart  till  the  young  are  able  to  fly,  when  old 
and  young  of  both  sexes  come  together,  and  so  remain  until  the  com- 
mencement of  the  next  breeding  season.  In  all  the  nests  I  have  ex- 
amined, I  have  been  rather  surprised  to  find  a  quantity  of  feathers 
belonging  to  birds  of  other  species,  even  those  of  the  domestic  fowls, 
and  particularly  those  of  the  Wild  Goose  and  Wild  Turkey.  On  com- 
ing on  a  nest  with  eggs  when  the  bird  was  absent  in  search  of  food,  I 
have  always  found  the  eggs  covered  over  with  feathers  and  down,  al- 
though quite  out  of  sight,  in  the  depth  of  a  Woodpecker's  or  squirrel's 
hole.  On  the  contrary,  when  the  nest  was  placed  on  the  broken 
branch  of  a  tree,  it  could  easily  be  observed  from  the  ground,  on  ac- 
count of  the  feathers,  dead  sticks  and  withered  branches  about  it.  If 
the  nest  is  placed  immediately  over  the  water,  the  young,  the  mo- 
ment they  are  hatched,  scramble  to  the  mouth  of  the  hole,  launch 
into  the  air  with  their  little  wings  and  feet  spread  out,  and  drop  into 
their  favorite  element ;  but  whenever  their  birth-place  is  some  dis- 
tance from  it,  the  mother  carries  them  to  it,  one  by  one.  in  her  bill, 
holding  them  so  as  not  to  injure  their  yet  tender  frame.  On  several 
occasions,  however,  when  the  hole  was  thirty,  forty,  or  more  yards 
from  a  bayou  or  other  piece  of  water,  I  observed  that  the  mother  suf- 
fered the  young  to  fall  on  the  grasses  and  dried  leaves  beneath  the 
tree,  and  afterwards  led  them  directly  to  the  nearest  edge  of  the  next 
pool  or  creek." — Audubon. 

FOOD. 

According  to  Nuttall,  the  food  k'  consists  principally  of  acorns,  the 
seeds  of  aquatic  plants,  such  as  those  of  the  wild  oat  (Zizania  aquat- 
ica),  Ruppia,  etc.,  and  insects,  which  inhabit  in  or  near  waters;  and 
I  have  seen  a  fine  male  whose  stomach  was  wholly  filled  with  a  mass 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


11 


of  the  small  coleopters,  called  Donatias,  which  are  seen  so  nimbly 
nying  over  or  resting  on  the  leaves  of  the  Pond  lily  (Nymphcea)',  they 
are  therefore  very  alert  in  quest  of  their  prey,  or  they  could  never 
capture  the  wary  insects." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD  MATERIALS. 

1 

September  —  ,  1878, 

Chester*countv,  Pa.,  .... 

Acorns. 

•  ' 
3 

September  —  ,  1878, 
September  —  ,  1878, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,      .    .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .... 

Acorns. 
Acorns  and  small  seeds. 

4 

September  —  ,  1878, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .... 

Small  seeds. 

5 

October          4,  1880, 

Philadelphia  Market,  Pa.,  . 

Acorns. 

6 

October         4,  1880, 

Philadelphia  Market,  Pa.,  . 

Small    seeds    and  other 

vegetable  matter. 

7 

November  20,  1883, 

Philadelphia  Market,  Pa.,  . 

Small  seeds. 

8 

November    3,  1882, 

Philadelphia  Market,  Pa.,  . 

Small  seeds. 

In  some  twenty  odd  examinations  that  I  have  made  of  these  birds, 
which  were  killed  in  Florida  in  March  and  April,  1885,  I  found  only 
vegetable  substances,  consisting  chiefly  of  various  small  seeds,  had 
been  fed  upon. 

GENUS   AYTHYA.     BOIE. 
146.    Aythya  americana  (EYT). 

Red-head. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  as  long  as  the  head,  broad,  blue,  the  end  black  ;  the  region  anterior  to  the  nos- 
trils dusky ;  head,  and  neck  for  more  than  half  its  length,  brownish-red,  glossed 
above  and  behind  with  violaceous-red ;  rest  of  neck  and  body  anterior  to  the  shoul- 
ders, lower  part  of  back  and  tail  coverts,  black  ;  beneath  white,  sprinkled  with  gray 
and  black  anterior  to  the  crissum  ;  the  sides,  interscapulars  and  scapulars  finely  lined 
with  undulating  black  and  white  in  nearly  equal  proportions,  imparting  a  general 
gray  tint;  wing  coverts  bluish-gray,  finely  sprinkled  with  whitish;  the  speculum, 
consisting  of  the  ends  of  the  secondaries,  hoary  grayish-blue,  lightest  externally, 
and  the  innermost  narrowly  edged  with  black ;  basal  portion  of  inner  primaries 
somewhat  similar  to  the  speculum  ;  tail  of  fourteen  feathers  ;  iris  orange-yellow. 

This  species,  with  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  Canvas-back,  is  readily  distin- 
guished by  the  shorter,  broader  bill,  absence  of  brown  on  the  head,  and  a  greater 
predominance  of  black  in  the  waved  lines  ;  this  being  equal  in  amount  to  the  white 
instead  of  much  less.  Female  with  the  head,  neck  and  forepart  of  body  brownish ; 
the  region  round  the  base  of  the  bill  whitish. 

Length  of  male,  20.50  inches;  wing  9.50;  tarsus,  1.60;  commissure,  2.30  inches. 

II>t>>. — Xorth  America;  breeding  from  California  and  Maine  northward. 

This  handsome  bird,  frequently  confounded  by  sportsmen  and  others 
with  the  Canvas-back,  is  oftentimes  to  be  found  about  our  larger 
streams  during  the  winter  season.  The  Canvas-back,  on  the  other 
hand,  I  have  observed  in  this  region  only  as  a  casual  visitant  on  mi- 
grations. 

Some  few  years  ago,  while  hunting  along  the  Brandywine  creek, 
near  West  Chester,  Pa.,  I  suddenly  came  upon  a  party  of  thirteen 


12  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Red-heads  which  were  busily  engaged  in  feeding.  As  the  ducks  arose 
from  the  water  I  succeeded  in  killing  two  of  them.  Assisted  by  my 
honored  friend,  Benjamin  M.  Everhart,  I  made  an  examination  of 
the  stomachs  of  these  two  specimens,  and  found  that  both  had  fed  ex- 
clusively on  "  wild  celery,"*  a  somewhat  common,  though  not  abun- 
dant aquatic  plant  in  this  vicinity. 

FOOD. 

Wilson  says  the  Red-head  is  a  common  associate  of  the  Canvas- 
back,  frequenting  the  same  places  and  feeding  on  the  stems  of  the 
wild  celery. 

Audubon,  writing  of  the  Red-heads,  states :  "  I  have  found  their 
stomachs  crammed  with  young  tadpoles  and  small  water-lizards,  as 
well  as  blades  of  the  grasses  growing  around  the  bank.  Nay,  on  sev- 
eral occasions,  I  have  found  pretty  large  acorns  and  beech-nuts  in 
their  throats,  as  well  as  snails,  entire  or  broken,  and  fragments  of  the 
shells  of  various  small  unios,  together  with  much  gravel." 

I  have  examined  the  stomach-contents  of  twenty-one  Red-heads, 
both  sexes,  which  have  been  killed  during  the  shooting  season  at 
Havre-de-Grace,  Maryland,  and  found  only  gravel  and  vegetable 
matter,  the  latter  consisting  mainly  of  the  so-called  "  wild  celery  " 
(  Vallisneria  spiralis). 


147.    Aythya  vallisneria  (WiLS.). 

Canvas-Back. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  long,  slender  and  tapering ;  head  all  round  and  neck  chestnut ;  the  top  of  the 
head  and  region  around  the  base  of  the  bill  dusky-brown  ;  rest  of  neck,  body  ante- 
rior to  the  shoulders,  back  behind,  rump  and  tail  coverts,  black ;  under  parts  white ; 
the  region  anterior  to  the  anus,  the  sides,  the  interscapulars  and  scapulars,  white, 
finely  dotted,  in  transverse  line,  with  black,  the  white  greatly  predominating ;  spec- 


* "  This  plant,  like  many  others,  has  a  variety  of  local  names.  Some  of  the  most  common 
which  I  now  call  to  mind  are  tape  grass,  from  the  tape-like  appearance  of  the  long:  leaves; 
channel-weed,  as  it  frequently  grows  in  channels  where  the  water  flows,  not  swiftly ;  eel-grass ; 
this  name  arises,  it  is  said  by  Dr.  Darlington  (Flora  Cestrica)*  'from  the  habit  which  eels  have 
of  hiding  under  the  leaves  which  are  usually  procumbently  floating  under  the  water's  surface.1 
The  appellation  kwild  celery '—a  local  term  applied,  I  think,  chiefly  by  gunners  and  watermen 
at  Havre-de-Grace  and  vicinity— is,  I  consider,  like  many  vulgar  synonyms,  a  misnomer,  as  this 
plant  is  in  no  particular  related  to  celery,  which  by  botanists  is  known  as  Apium.  *  Wild  celery,' 
or  as  it  is  more  generally  known  in  this  vicinity  (Chester  county,  Pa.),  as  '  eel-grass,'  is  found  in 
the  Brandywine  creek  growing  in  slow  running  water. 

The  scientific  name  of  the  plant  is  Vallisneria  spiralis  (Linn.),  the  generic  name  being  given  in 
honor  of  Antonio  Vallisneri,  an  Italian  botanist;  the  specific  spiralis  is  applied  in  consequence 
of  the  fact  that  the  fertile  stalk  in  its  development  assumes  a  spiral  form.  It  is  a  remarkable 
dioecious,  herbaceous  plant  on  account  of  its  mode  of  fertilization.  It  grows  entirely  under 
water,  has  long,  radical  grass-like  leaves,  from  one  to  three  feet  long  and  from  one-fourth  to 
three-fourths  inches  wide.  The  female  flowers  float  on  the  surface  at  the  end  of  long,  thread- 
like spiral  scapes,  which  curiously  contract  and  lengthen  with  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  water.  The 
male  flowers  have  very  short  stems  or  scapes,  from  which  the  flowers  break  off  and  rise  to  the 
surface,  to  fertilize  with  their  pollen  the  attached,  floating  female  flowers^"— B.  M.  EverharVs 
Botanical  Publications,  November,  1886. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  13 

ulum  bluish-gray,  lighter  externally ;  the  innermost  secondaries  of  the  speculum 
edged  externally  with  black ;  iris  red ;  feet  grayish-blue. 

Female  with  the  black  and  chestnut  replaced  by  brown,  the  cheeks  and  chin 
lighter,  and  some  tinged  with  dull-rufous. 

Length,  20. 10  inches;  wing,  9.30;  tarsus,  1.70;  commissure,  2.65  inches. 

Flab.— Nearly  all  of  North  America,  breeding  from  the  north-western  States  north- 
ward to  Alaska. 

Wilson,  in  describing  the  habits  of  the  Canvas-back,  says :  "  The 
Canvas-back  Duck  arrives  in  the  United  States  from  the  north  about 
the  middle  of  October :  a  few  descend  to  the  Hudson  and  Delaware ; 
but  the  great  body  of  these  birds  resort  to  the  numerous  rivers  be- 
longing to  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  particu- 
larly the  Susquehanna,  the  Patapsco,  Potomac  and  James  rivers,  which 
appear  to  be  their  general  winter  rendezvous.  Beyond  this,  to  the 
south,  I  can  find  no  certain  accounts  of  them.  At  the  Susquehanna, 
they  are  called  Canvas-backs ;  on  the  Potomac.  White-backs ;  and  on 
James  river,  Sheldrakes.  They  are  seldom  found  at  a  great  distance 
up  any  of  these  rivers,  or  even  in  the  salt-water  bay,  but  in  that  par- 
ticular part  of  tide-water  where  a  certain  grass-like  plant  grows,  on 
the  roots  of  which  they  feed.  This  plant,  which  is  said  to  be  a  spe- 
cies of  Vallisneria,  grows  on  fresh-water  shoals  of  from  seven  to  nine 
feet  (but  never  where  these  are  occasionally  dry),  in  long,  narrow, 
grass-like  blades,  of  four  or  five  feet  in  length ;  the  root  is  white,  and 
has  some  resemblance  to  small  celery.  This  grass  is  in  many  places 
so  thick  that  a  boat  can  with  difficulty  be  rowed  through  it,  it  so  im- 
pedes the  oars.  The  shores  are  lined  with  large  quantities  of  it,  torn 
up  by  the  Ducks,  and  drifted  up  by  the  winds,  lying,  like  hay,  in 
windrows.  Wherever  this  plant  grows  in  abundance,  the  Canvas- 
backs  may  be  expected  either  to  pay  occasional  visits  or  to  make  it 
their  regular  residence  during  the  winter.  It  occurs  in  some  parts  of 
the  Hudson ;  in  the  Delaware,  near  Gloucester,  a  few  miles  below 
Philadelphia ;  and  in  most  of  the  rivers  that  fall  into  the  Chesapeake, 
to  each  of  which  particular  places  these  Ducks  resort;  while,  in  waters 
unprovided  with  this  nutritive  plant,  they  are  altogether  unknown. 

"  On  the  first  arrival  of  these  birds  in  the  Susquehanna,  near  Havre- 
de-Grace,  they  are  generally  lean ;  but  such  is  the  abundance  of  their 
favorite  food  that,  towards  the  beginning  of  November,  they  are  in 
pretty  good  order.  They  are  excellent  divers,  and  swim  with  great 
speed  and  agility.  They  sometimes  assemble  in  such  multitudes  as 
to  cover  several  acres  of  the  river,  and,  when  they  rise  suddenly,  pro- 
duce a  noise  resembling  thunder.  They  float  about  these  shoals,  div- 
ing, and  tearing  up  the  grass  by  the  roots,  which  is  the  only  part  they 
eat.  They  are  extremely  shy,  and  can  rarely  be  approached,  unless 
by  stratagem.  When  wounded  in  the  wing,  they  dive  to  such  pro- 
digious distances,  and  with  such  rapidity,  continuing  it  so  persever- 


14  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

ingly  and  with  such  cunning  and  active  vigor  as  almost  always  to 
render  the  pursuit  hopeless.  From  the  great  demand  for  these  Ducks, 
and  the  high  price  they  uniformly  bring  in  market,  various  modes  are 
practiced  to  get  within  gunshot  of  them.  The  most  successful  way  is 
said  to  be  decoying  them  to  the  shore  by  means  of  a  dog,  while  the 
gunner  lies  closely  concealed  in  a  proper  situation.  The  dog,  if  prop- 
erly trained,  plays  backwards  and  forwards  along  the  margin  of  the 
water,  and  the  Ducks,  observing  his  manoeuvres,  enticed  perhaps  by 
curiosity,  gradually  approach  the  shore,  until  they  are  sometimes 
within  twenty  or  thirty  yards  of  the  spot  where  the  gunner  lies  con- 
cealed, and  from  which  he  rakes  them,  first  on  the  water  and  then  as 
they  rise.  This  method  is  called  tolling  them  in.  If  the  Ducks  seem 
difficult  to  decoy,  any  glaring  object,  such  as  a  red  handkerchief,  is 
fixed  round  the  dog's  middle  or  to  his  tail,  and  this  rarely  fails  to  at- 
tract them.  Sometimes,  by  moonlight,  the  sportsman  directs  his  skiff 
towards  a  flock  whose  position  he  had  previously  ascertained,  keeping 
within  the  projecting  shadow  of  some  wood,  bank  or  headland,  and 
paddles  along  so  silently  and  imperceptibly  as  often  to  approach 
within  fifteen  or  twenty  yards  of  a  flock  of  as  many  thousands,  among 
whom  he  generally  makes  great  slaughter.  Many  other  stratagems  * 
are  practiced,  and,  indeed,  every  plan  that  the  ingenuity  of  the  expe- 
rienced sportsman  can  suggest,  to  approach  within  gunshot  of  these 
birds ;  but  of  all  the  modes  pursued,  none  intimidate  them  so  much 
as  shooting  them  at  night,  and  they  soon  abandon  the  place  where 
they  have  been  thus  repeatedly  shot  at. 

"  During  the  day  they  are  dispersed  about,  but  towards  evening  col- 
lect in  large  flocks  and  come  into  the  mouths  of  creeks,  where  they 
often  ride  as  at  anchor,  with  their  heads  under  their  wings,  asleep, 
there  being  always  sentinels  awake,  ready  to  raise  an  alarm  on  the 
least  appearance  of  danger.  Even  when  feeding  and  diving  in  small 
parties  the  whole  never  go  down  at  one  time,  but  some  are  still  left 
above  on  the  lookout.  When  the  winter  sets  in  severely,  and  the 
river  is  frozen,  the  Canvas-backs  retreat  to  its  confluence  with  the 
bay,  occasionally  frequenting  air  holes  in  the  ice,  which  are  some- 
times made  for  the  purpose,  immediately  above  their  favorite  grass, 
to  entice  them  within  gunshot  of  the  hut  or  bush,  which  is  usually 
fixed  at  a  proper  distance,  and  where  the  gunner  lies  concealed  ready 
to  take  advantage  of  their  distress.  A  Mr.  Hill,  who  lives  near  James 
river,  at  a  place  called  Herring  creek,  informs  me  that  one  severe 
winter  he  and  another  person  broke  a  hole  in  the  ice,  about  twenty 

*  The  favorite  method  now  employed  by  sportsmen  at  the  well-known  ducking-  grounds  at 
Havre-de-Grace,  Maryland,is  the  sink-box,  a  coffin-like  structure,  furnished  with  canvas  "wings," 
in  which  the  gunner  conceals  himself  after  the  box  has  been  anchored  amidst  two  hundred  or 
three  hundred  decoy  ducks,  on  the  feeding-grounds  where  the  Red-heads  and  Canvas-backs 
backs  daily  resort.—  Warren. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  15 

by  forty  feet,  immediately  over  a  shoal  of  grass,  and  took  their  stand 
on  the  shore  in  a  hut  of  brush,  each  having  three  guns  well  loaded 
with  large  shot.  The  Ducks,  which  were  flying  up  and  down  the 
river  in  great  extremity,  soon  crowded  to  this  place,  so  that  the  whole 
open  space  was  not  only  covered  with  them,  but  vast  numbers  stood 
on  the  ice  around  it.  They  had  three  rounds,  firing  both  at  once,  and 
picked  up  eighty-eight  Canvas-backs,  and  might  have  collected  more, 
had  they  been  able  to  get  to  the  extremity  of  the  ice  after  the  wounded 
ones.  In  the  severe  winter  of  1779-80,  the  grass  on  the  roots  of  which 
these  birds  feed  was  almost  wholly  destroyed  in  James  river.  In  the 
month  of  January,  the  wind  continued  to  blow  from  W.N.  W.  for  twenty- 
one  days,  which  caused  such  low  tides  in  the  river  that  the  grass  froze 
to  the  ice  everywhere,  and  a  thaw  coming  on  suddenly,  the  whole  was 
raised  by  the  roots  and  carried  off  by  the  freshet.  The  next  winter  a 
few  of  these  Ducks  were  seen,  but  they  soon  went  away  again,  and 
for  many  years  after  they  continued  to  be  scarce ;  and  even  to  the 
present  day,  in  the  opinion  of  my  informant,  have  never  been  so 
plenty  as  before." 

FOOD. 

Audubon,  writing  of  the  food  of  the  Canvas-back,  says :  "  It  varies 
according  to  the  season  and  locality.  The  plant  Vattisneria,  on  which 
it  is  said  to  feed  when  on  the  head-waters  of  the  Chesapeake,  is  not 
found  equally  abundant  in  other  parts,  and  even  there  is  at  times  so 
reduced  in  quantity  that  this  Duck,  and  several  other  species  which 
are  equally  fond  of  it,  are  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  fishes,  tadpoles, 
water-lizards,  leeches,  snails  and  mollusca,  as  well  as  such  seeds  as 
they  can  meet  with,  all  of  which  have  been  in  greater  or  less  quan- 
tity found  in  their  stomachs." 

My  examinations  of  four  of  these  Ducks,  which  were  killed  at 
Havre-de-Grace,  showed  only  vegetable  substances,  which  I  judged 
to  be  remains  of  Vallisneria. 

Wilson  asserts  that  the  Canvas-backs  when  feeding  on  the  Vallis- 
neria eat  only  the  roots,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  the  Red-heads  feed 
on  the  stems  of  this  plant. 

GENUS   CHAKITONETTA.     STEJNEGEB. 
153.    Charitonetta  albeola  (Linn.). 

Baffle-head. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Male. — Bill  blue ;  head  and  neck  anteriorly  dark  colored ;  the  region  in  front  of 
the  eye  and  on  the  sides  of  the  collar  behind  rich  green ;  this  color  shading  into 
purplish  on  the  upper  and  under  surfaces  of  the  head ;  a  broad  patch  on  each  side  of 
the  head  from  the  posterior  border  of  the  eye,  and  meeting  its  fellow  on  the  nape, 
the  lower  neck  all  round,  under  parts  generally,  wing  coverts  (except  the  lesser). 


16  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

and  most  of  the  secondaries  and  the  scapulars,  white ;  the  latter  narrowly  edged  ex- 
ternally with  black.  Rest  of  upper  parts,  except  as  described,  black ;  passing  grad- 
ually on  the  upper  tail  coverts  into  pale  gray ,  axillars  and  under  wing  coverts  sooty 
brown,  more  or  less  tipped  with  white;  iris  brown. 

Female  with  the  entire  head,  neck,  and  upper  parts  almost  black.  An  elongated 
patch  behind  and  below  the  eye  (not  reaching  it).  The  outer  webs  of  some  secon- 
daries, and  the  under  parts  white;  the  jugulum,  sides,  and  anal  region,  plumbeous- 
gray. 

Length,  15  inches;  wing,  6.65;  tarsus,  1.25;  commissure,  1.44.  Female  smaller 
than  male ;  young  males  very  similar  to  females. 

Hab. — North  America ;  south  in  winter  to  Cuba  and  Mexico.  Breeds  from  Maine 
northward  ;  through  the  fur  countries  and  Alaska. 

This  beautiful  little  Duck,  commonly  called  Butter-ball,  is  fre- 
quently met  with  during  migrations  about  our  rivers  and  mill-ponds. 
This  species  is,  however,  much  more  common  in  autumn  than  during 
the  winter  and  spring.  The  Bume-head,  like  the  Grebe  and  Loon, 
will  dive  at  the  flash  of  a  gun  and  swim,  it  is  said,  under  the  water 
with  only  its  bill  above  the  surface.  Audubon  says  :  "  Their  food  is 
much  varied,  according  to  situation.  On  the  sea-coast,  or  in  estua- 
ries, they  dive  after  shrimps,  small  fry,  and  bivalve  shells,  and  in  fresh 
water  they  feed  on  small  cray-fish.  leeches  and  snails,  and  even 
grasses."  In  the  stomachs  of  five  of  these  Ducks,  which  I  have  ex- 
amined, were  found  small  shells  and  coleopterous  insects. 

SUBFAMILY  ANSERINE.    GEESE. 
GENUS  BRANTA.     SCOPOLI. 
172.    Branta  canadensis  (LiNN.). 

Canada  Goose. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Tail  of  eighteen  feathers ;  head,  neck,  bill  and  feet,  deep-black  ;  a  large  triangular 
patch  of  white  on  the  cheeks  behind  the  eye  ;  the  two  of  opposite  sides  broadly  con- 
fluent beneath,  but  not  extending  to  the  rami  of  lower  jaw  ;  a  few  whitish  feathers 
on  lower  eyelid ;  upper  parts  brown,  edged  with  paler ;  under  parts  light,  with  a 
tinge  of  purple-gray,  sometimes  a  shade  of  smoky-brown  ;  the  edges  of  the  feathers 
paler ;  the  color  of  the  body  of  the  feathers,  though  similar,  becoming  deeper  on  the 
sides,  tibia,  axillars,  and  inside  of  wings  ;  the  gray  of  the  belly  passes  gradually  into 
white  on  the  anal  region  and  under  coverts ;  the  upper  tail  coverts  are  pure-white ; 
the  primary  quills  and  rump  are  very  dark  blackish-brown  ;  the  tail  feathers  are 
black ;  iris  brown. 

Length,  35  inches  ;  wing,  18;  tarsus,  3.10;  commissure,  2. 10  inches. 

Ha b.  —Temperate  North  America,  breeding  in  the  northern  United  States  and 
British  Provinces  ;  south  in  winter  to  Mexico. 

This  well-known  bird,  usually  called  Wild  Goose,  is  a  common 
spring  and  fall  migrant  in  Pennsylvania.  In  this  locality  Wild  Geese 
are  rarely  observed  resting  either  on  land  or  water,  but  are  almost 
always  seen  or  heard  flying. 

In  referring  to  this  species,  Wilson  says :  "  The  flight  of  the  Wild 
Geese  is  heavy  and  laborious,  generally  in  a  straight  line,  or  in  two 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  17 

lines,  approximating  to  a  point  thus,  >  :  in  both  cases  the  van  is  led 
by  an  old  gander,  who,  every  now  and  then,  pipes  his  well  known 
konk,  as  if  to  ask  how  they  come  on ;  and  the  honk  of  4 Alps  well '  is 
generally  returned  by  some  of  the  party.  Their  course  is  in  a  straight 
line,  with  the  exception  of  the  undulations  of  their  flight.  When  be- 
wildered in  foggy  weather,  they  appear  sometimes  to  be  in  great  dis- 
tress, flying  about  in  an  irregular  manner,  and  for  a  considerable  time 
over  the  same  quarter,  making  a  great  clamor.  On  these  occasions, 
should  they  approach  the  earth  and  alight — which  they  sometimes  do 
to  rest  and  recollect  themselves — the  only  hospitality  they  meet  with 
is  death  and  destruction  from  a  whole  neighborhood  already  in  arms 
for  their  ruin." 

The  food  of  this  species  consists  chiefly  of  vegetable  materials,  such 
as  cereals,  the  seeds,  roots  and  other  portions  of  plants. 


ORDER  HERODIONES.   HERONS,  ETC. 

SUBORDER  HERODIL     HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS. 

FAMILY  ARDEID.5S.     HERONS,  BITTERNS. 

SUBFAMILY  BOTAURIK3J.    BITTERNS. 

GENUS    BOTAURTJS.     HERMANN. 

190.    Botaurus  lentiginosus  (MONTAG). 

American   Bittern. 

DESCRIPTION.     {Plate  5.) 

Brownish-yellow,  finely  mottled  and  varied  with  dark-brown  and  brownish-red ; 
a  broad  black  stripe  on  each  side  the  neck,  starting  behind  the  ear ;  iris  yellow. 
Length,  26.50  inches;  wing,  11 ;  tarsus,  3.60;  bill,  above,  2.75  inches. 
Hab. — Temperate  North  America,  south  to  Guatemala  and  the  West  Indies. 

The  Bittern  or  Green-legged  Crane,  as  this  species  is  locally  de- 
nominated, is  readily  distinguished  from  other  birds  of  the  family  by 
its  brownish-yellow  plumage,  greenish-colored  legs  and  large  size. 
Although  this  bird  is  given  by  certain  writers  as  a  summer  resident 
in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  I  have  observed  it  as  a  spring  and  fall  mi- 
grant, moderately  abundant.  In  this  locality  these  birds  are  never 
found  in  flocks ;  commonly  only  solitary  individuals  are  seen  frequent- 
ing chiefly  the  thick  swampy  districts  about  meadows  and  rivers. 
During  the  daylight  Bitterns  conceal  themselves  in  the  long  grasses, 
weeds,  bushes,  etc.,  growing  about  swamps.  They  migrate  and  feed 
during  the  night. 
2  BIRDS. 


18 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


FOOD. 

According  to  Dr.  Ooues,  "  the  food  of  this  bird  consists  of  various 
kinds  of  small  aquatic  animals.  In  its  stomach  may  be  found  different 
molluscs,  craw-fish,  frogs,  lizards,  small  snakes  and  fishes,  as  well  as 
insects.  Such  prey  is  captured  with  great  address,  by  spearing,  as  the 
bird  walks  or  wades  stealthily  along.  The  thrust  of  the  bill  is  mar- 
vellously quick  and  skillful — more  action  is  displayed  on  such  occa- 
sions than  probably  under  any  other  circumstance." — Birds  of  the 
Northwest. 

Although  Bitterns  frequently  devour  fish,  I  believe  they  prefer 
other  kinds  of  animal  food,  especially  snakes,  frogs  and  insects. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

April  11,  1880,  .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  scales  of  fish. 

2 

April  23,  1880,  .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Water-snake. 

3 
4 
5 

April  29,  1881,  .    . 
Sept.    —  ,  1881,  .    . 
April  —  ,  1882,  .    . 

Delaware  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Cray-fish  and  frogs. 
Beetles  and  frogs. 
Two  snakes,  each  about  eighteen 

inches  in  length. 

6 

7 

April  —  ,  1882,  .    . 
Oct        3,  1883,  .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Phila,  Market,  Pa.,    .    . 

Snake  and  snails. 
Grasshoppers  and  beetles. 

8 

April  —  ,  1885,  .    . 

Orange  county,  Fla..     . 

Numerous  insects. 

9 

April  —  ,  1885,  .    . 

Orange  county,  Fla., 

Cray-fish  and  remains  of  fishes. 

191.    Botaurus  exilis  (GMEL.). 

Least  Bittern. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Head  above  and  the  back  dark  glossy-green ;  upper  part  of  neck,  shoulders, 
greater  coverts,  and  outer  webs  of  some  tertials,  purplish-cinnamon ;  a  brownish- 
yellow  scapular  stripe  (broadest  in  female). 

Female  and  young  with  the  green  of  head  and  back  replaced  by  purplish-chestnut. 
Iris  yellow. 

Length,  13  inches;  extent,  about  17  ;  wing,  4.75;  tarsus,  1.60;  bill  above,  1.75. 

Hab. — Temperate  North  America,  from  British  Provinces  to  the  West  Indies  and 
Brazil. 

The  Least  Bittern,  the  smallest  of  all  the  herons,  I  have  found  in 
this  region  only  as  a  rare  visitant  during  the  spring  and  fall  migra- 
tions. These  birds,  it  is  stated,  sometimes  breed  in  Pennsylvania. 
When  alarmed,  they  fly  generally  but  a  few  yards,  and  take  shelter 
among  the  reeds  or  long  grass.  Least  Bitterns  are  scarcely  ever  seen 
exposed,  but  skulk  during  the  day,  and,  like  the  preceding  species, 
feed  chiefly  in  the  night.  Wilson  says  :  "  In  the  meadows  of  Schuyl- 
kill  and  Delaware,  below  Philadelphia,  a  few  of  these  birds  breed 
every  year,  making  their  nests  in  the  thick  tussocks  of  grass  in  swampy 
places."  According  to  Audubon,  the  nest  "  is  sometimes  placed  on 
the  ground,  amid  the  rankest  grasses,  but  more  frequently  it  is  at- 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 


19 


tached  to  the  stems  several  inches  above  it.  It  is  flat,  composed  of 
dried  or  rotten  weeds,  and  in  shape  resembles  that  of  the  Louisiana 
Heron,  though  this  latter  employs  nothing  but  sticks.  The  eggs  are 
three  or  four,  seldom  more,  of  a  dull  greenish- white,  without  spots, 
an  inch  and  a  quarter  in  length,  almost  equal  at  both  ends.  *  *  * 
In  two  instances,  I  found  the  nests  of  the  Least  Bittern  about  three 
feet  above  the  ground  in  a  thick  cluster  of  smilax  and  other  briary 
plants.  In  the  first,  two  nests  were  placed  in  the  same  bush,  within 
a  few  yards  of  each  other.  In  the  other  instance,  there  was  only  one 
nest  of  this  bird,  but  several  of  the  Boat-tailed  Grakle,  and  one  of 
the  Green  Heron,  the  occupants  of  all  of  which  seemed  to  be  on 
friendly  terms.  When  started  from  the  nest,  the  old  birds  emit  a  few 
notes  resembling  the  S3rllable  qua,  alight  a  few  yards  off  and  watch 
all  your  movements.  If  you  go  towards  them,  you  may  sometimes 
take  the  female  with  the  hand,  but  rarely  the  male,  who  generally 
flies  off  or  makes  his  way  through  the  woods." 

FOOD. 

According  to  Nuttall,  this  species  subsists  chiefly  on  small  fish  and 
aquatic  insects.  Audubon  states  that  "  the  food  of  this  bird  consists 
of  snails,  slugs,  tadpoles,  or  young  frogs  and  water-lizards.  In  sev- 
eral instances,  however,  I  have  found  small  shrews  and  field-mice  in 
their  stomachs." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 

3 

4 

5 
6 

April  29,  1879,    .    . 
Sept.  —  ,  1880,    .    . 
Sept.  —  ,  1880,    .    . 
Sept.  20,  1881,    .    . 

Aug.  25,  1883,    .    . 
May    20,  1884,    .    . 

Lancaster  county,  Pa., 
Delaware  county,  Pa.,  . 
Delaware  county,  Pa.,  . 
Phila.  Market,  Pa.,     .   . 

Delaware  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Hair  of  small  mammal. 
Beetles, 
Insects  and  remains  offish. 
Portion  of  a  small  snake  and  in- 
sects. 
Beetles  and  "worms." 
Vegetable-matter. 

SUBFAMILY  ARDEINJE.    HERONS  AND  EGRETS. 

GENUS   ARDEA.     LIXXJEUS. 
194.    Ardea  herodias.     Lixx. 

Great  Bine  Heron;  "Big  Crane." 

DESCRIPTION. 

Lower  third  of  tibia  bare  ;  above  bluish-ash ;  edges  of  wing  and  the  tibia  rufous; 
neck  cinnamon-brown  ;  head  black,  with  a  white  frontal  patch ;  body  beneath  black, 
broadly  streaked  on  the  belly  with  white ;  crissum  white ;  middle  line  of  throat 
white,  streaked  with  black  and  rufous. 

Adult. — Bill  yellow,  dusky  at  the  base  and  greenish  above ;  the  forehead  and  cen- 
tral part  of  the  crown  are  white,  encircled  laterally  and  behind  by  black,  of  which 
color  is  the  occipital  crest  and  its  two  elongated  feathers ;  the  neck  is  of  a  light  smoky 


20  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

cinnamon-brown,  with  perhaps  a  tinge  of  purple  ;  the  chin  and  throat  whitish  ;  the 
feathers  along  the  central  line  of  the  throat  to  the  breast  white,  streaked  with  black, 
and  also  with  reddish-brown,  except  on  the  elongated  feathers  of  the  breast ;  the 
body  may  be  described  as  bluish-ash  above  and  on  the  sides ;  the  under  parts,  in. 
eluding  the  tuft  of  feathers  on  each  side  the  breast  and  the  belly  to  the  white  cris- 
sum,  are  sooty  black,  much  varied  along  the  middle  line  with  white  ;  the  tibia  and 
the  edge  of  the  wing  are  rufous ;  the  quills  are  black,  becoming  more  plumbeous 
internally  until  the  innermost  secondaries  are  ashy,  like  the  back;  the  elongated 
tips  of  the  scapular  feathers  have  a  whitish  shade  ;  the  tail  is  of  a  bluish-slate  color ; 
according  to  Mr.  Audubon,  the  bill  in  life  is  yellow  ;  dusky-green  above  ;  loral  and 
orbital  spaces  light-green ;  iris  yellow  ;  feet  olivaceous,  paler  above  the  tibio-tarsal 
joint;  claws  black. 

Young. — The  upper  mandible  is  blackish  ;  the  lower  yellow,  except  along  the  com- 
missure ;  the  head  above  is  entirely  dusky,  without  the  much  elongated  occipital 
feathers ;  the  breast  is  grayish,  streaked  with  white  and  light-brown,  but  without 
any  pure-black  patches  ;  the  back  is  without  the  elongated  scapular  feathers ;  in  still 
younger  specimens,  the  coverts  are  all  margined  with  rufous,  which  becomes  lighter 
at  the  tip ;  the  rufous  of  the  tibia  is  much  lighter. 

Length,  42  inches;  wing,  18.50;  tarsus,  about  6.50;  bill,  about  5.50  inches. 

Hab.— North  America,  from  the  Arctic  regions  southward  to  the  West  Indies  and 
northern  South  America. 

This  bird,  the  largest  of  our  Herons,  is  a  summer  resident  in  various 
localities  in  this  State.  During  the  last  few  years,  however,  several 
favorite  breeding  resorts  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  which  were  annu- 
ally visited  by  this  and  other  species,  have  been  broken  up  by  boys 
and  men,  who  destroyed  the  birds,  old  and  young,  simply  because 
their  feathers  would  bring  a  few  dollars,  and,  as  they  remarked, 
u  there's  no  law  to  stop  it" 

I  have  no  doubt  that  the  time  will  soon  come  when  this  beautiful 
Heron  will  be  known  in  this  Commonwealth  only  as  a  rare  straggling 
visitant.  The  nest  is  made  of  large  sticks  and  twigs,  and  placed  on 
the  larger  limbs  of  trees,  generally  near  the  water.  The  eggs  vary 
in  number  from  three  to  five,  are  light-blue  in  color,  and  about  the 
size  of  those  of  our  common  domestic  fowl.  This  bird,  and  the  same 
is  true  of  other  Herons,  when  wounded  and  unable  to  escape,  is  one 
which  can  not  be  handled  with  too  much  caution,  as  it  frequently, 
with  its  sharp  and  powerful  bill,  inflicts  severe,  dangerous,  and,  it  is 
said,  sometimes  fatal  wounds.  In  Florida  I  met  a  hunter  who  had  an 
eye  destroyed  by  one  of  these  birds  which  he  had  winged  and  care- 
lessly attempted  to  pick  up.  By  some,  particularly  residents  of  certain 
of  the  Southern  States,  the  flesh  of  the  Great  Blue  Heron  is  consid- 
ered quite  a  delicious  morsel.  Some  few  winters  ago,  when  camping 
in  the  Cypress  swamps  of  Florida,  I,  more  from  necessity  than  choice, 
eat  the  breast-meat  of  this  Heron  and  also  that  of  the  Water  Turkey, 
(AnJiinga  anhinga),  a  bird  which  preys  exclusively  on  fish,  and  al- 
though I  did  not  especially  relish  the  dish,  I  must  admit  that  to  a 
hungry  man  it  was  in  no  way  disagreeable. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


21 


FOOD. 

The  following  interesting  observations  on  the  food-habits  are  given 
by  Nuttall :  "  Fish  is  the  principal  food  of  the  Great  Heron,  and  for 
this  purpose,  like  an  experienced  angler,  he  often  waits  for  that  con- 
dition of  the  tide  which  best  suits  his  experience  and  instinct.  At 
such  times  they  are  seen  slowly  sailing  out  from  their  inland  breed- 
ing haunts,  during  the  most  silent  and  cool  period  of  the  summer's 
day,  selecting  usually  such  shallow  inlets  as  the  ebbing  tide  leaves 
bare  or  accessible  to  his  watchful  and  patient  mode  of  prowling ;  here 
wading  to  the  knees,  he  stands  motionless  amidst  the  timorous  fry, 
till  some  victim  coming  within  the  compass  of  his  wily  range  is  as 
instantly  seized  by  the  powerful  bill  of  the  Heron.  *  *  *  If 
large,  the  fish  is  beaten  to  death,  and  commonly  swallowed  with  the 
head  descending,  as  if  to  avoid  any  obstacle  arising  from  the  rever- 
sion of  the  fins  or  any  hard  external  processes.  On  land  our  Heron 
has  also  his  fare,  as  he  is  no  less  a  successful  angler  than  a  mouser, 
and  renders  an  important  service  to  the  farmer  in  the  destruction  he 
makes  among  most  of  the  reptiles  and  meadow  shrews.  Grasshop- 
pers, other  large  insects,  and  particularly  dragon-flies,  he  is  very  ex- 
pert in  striking,  and  occasionally  feeds  upon  the  seeds  of  pond  lilies, 
contiguous  to  his  usual  haunts.  Our  species,  in  all  probability,  as  well 
as  the  European  Heron,  at  times  preys  upon  young  birds  which  may 
be  accidentally  straggling  near  their  solitary  retreats." 

In  the  months  of  March  and  April,  1885,  I  examined  the  stomachs 
of  twenty-three  of  these  birds  which  had  been  killed  by  plume- 
hunters  in  Orange  and  Yolusia  counties,  Florida.  Twelve  birds  had 
fed  entirely  on  fish ;  three  had  taken  fish  and  cray-fish ;  two,  small 
snakes ;  one,  frogs  and  fish ;  one,  fish  and  a  few  feathers ;  one,  traces 
of  beetles.  Three  birds  were  destitute  of  all  food-materials. 

From  my  investigations  made  in  Florida,  as  well  as  the  records  in 
the  following  table,  I  would  say  this  Heron  is  mainly  piscivorous  in 
habit. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIA  i.-. 

1 

June    3,  1879, 

Brigantine,  X.  J.,  

Remains  of  fish. 

2 

4 
5 
6 

Aug.   23,  1879, 
June    7,  1880, 
June  12,  1880, 
Mav    15,  1880, 
Sept.         1882 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .... 
Delaware  county,  Pa.,  .  .  . 
Berks  county,  Pa.,  .... 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .... 
Brigantine,  N.  J.,  . 

Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 

7 
8 
9 

Oct.     24,  1883, 
April  20,  1884, 
Aug.  —  ,  1884, 

Delaware  county,  Pa,,  .  .  . 
Delaware  county,  Pa,,  .  .  . 
Willistown,  Pa.,  

Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 
Remains  of  fish. 

10 

Aug.   —  ,  1884, 

Willistown,  Pa,,  

Remains  of  fish. 

BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 


196.    Ardea  egretta.     GMEL. 

American  Egret;  Large  White  Crane. 

DESCRIPTION. 

The  plumage  of  this  bird  is  entirely  white  ;  in  the  breeding  season  the  adults  have 
the  backs  ornamented  with  long  hair-like  plumes,  frequently  so  long  that  they 
touch  the  ground  when  the  bird  stands  erect ;  legs  and  feet  black  ;  eyes  bright  yel- 
low ;  bill  yellow,  and  about  five  inches  long;  point  of  upper  mandible  black ;  meas- 
ures, from  tip  to  tip  of  wings,  about  five  feet. 

Hob. — Temperate  and  tropical  America,  from  New  Jersey,  Minnesota  and  Oregon 
south  to  Patagonia ;  casually  on  the  Atlantic  coast  to  Nova  Scotia. 

This  beautiful  bird,  now  chiefly  found  in  the  Southern  States,  where 
it  is  rapidly  being  exterminated  by  the  heartless  and  money-loving 
plume-hunters,  is  a  rare  migrant  along  our  rivers.  It  occurs  in  this 
State,  according  to  my  observation,  only  in  the  late  summer  and  au- 
tumn, when  straggling  individuals  are  sometimes  taken.  In  former 
years,  this  species  is  said  to  have  reared  its  young  in  Pennsylvania. 

FOOD. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

August,  1879,     . 

Lancaster  county,  Pa., 

Fishes  and  insects. 

2 
3 

July,       1881,     . 
July,       1884,     . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Delaware  county,  Pa.,  . 

Field-mouse  and  cray-fish. 
Fishes  and  frogs  (liana). 

4 

April,      1885, 

Orange  county,  Fla.,     . 

Cray  fish. 

5 

April,      1885, 

Orange  county,  Fla.,     . 

Fish-scales  and  bones. 

6 

April,      1885, 

Orange  county,  Fla.,     . 

Fishes. 

7 

April,      1885, 

Orange  county,  Fla., 

Insects. 

8 

April,      1885, 

Orange  county,  Fla.,     . 

Feathers,  apparently  of  a  spar- 

row (?). 

9 

April,      1885, 

Orange  county,  Fla.,     . 

Cray-fish  and  small  snake. 

10 

April,      1885, 

Orange  county,  Fla., 

Fish-scales  and  bones. 

11 

April,      1885, 

Orange  county,  Fla., 

Cray-fish  and  fish-scales. 

12 

May,        1885, 

Volusia  county,  Fla.,    . 

Stomach  empty. 

13 

May,        1885, 

Volusia  county,  Fla.,    . 

Beetles  and  dipterous  insects. 

197.    Ardea  candidissima.     GMEL. 

Snowy  Heron. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Occiput  much  crested  ;  scapular  plumes  reaching  to  the  end  of  the  tail ;  lower  neck 
furnished  with  long  plumes ;  plumage  pure  white ;  bill  black,  yellow  at  base  ;  legs 
black  ;  toes  and  lower  posterior  part  of  tarsus  yellow ;  iris  yellow. 

Length,  24  inches;  extent,  about  38  inches;  wing,  10.20;  tarsus,  3.80;  bill  above, 
3. 15  inches. 

Hab. — Temperate  and  tropical  America,  from  Long  Island  and  Oregon  south  to 
Buenos  Ayres ;  casual  on  the  Atlantic  coast  to  Nova  Scotia. 

This  beautiful  Heron  is  found  most  plentifully  in  the  Southern 
States,  where  it  breeds  in  company  with  other  species.  Solitary  indi- 
viduals are  sometimes  found  in  this  locality  during  the  late  summer 
or  early  autumn.  Nuttall  says :  Ck  Its  food,  as  usual,  consists  of  small 
crabs,  worms,  snails,  frogs  and  lizards,  to  which  fare  it  also  adds  at 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  23 

times  the  seeds  of  the  pond  lilies  and  other  aquatic  plants."  In  April, 
1885,  I  visited  an  island  in  a  small  lake  in  Orange  county,  Florida, 
where  this  species,  also  the  Louisiana,  Little  Blue  and  Green  Herons, 
were  breeding  on  low  bushes.  I  shot  seven  Snowy  Herons,  and  found 
in  the  viscera  of  all  only  the  remains  of  fish. 


201.    Ardea  virescens.     LINN. 

Green  Heron. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"The  Green  Bittern  is  eighteen  inches  long,  and  twenty-five  inches  in  extent;  bill 
black,  lighter  below,  and  yellow  at  the  base ;  chin,  and  narrow  streak  down  the 
throat,  yellowish-white ;  neck  dark  vinaceous-red ;  back  covered  with  very  long, 
tapering,  pointed  feathers,  of  a  hoary  green,  shafted  with  white,  on  a  dark-green 
ground ;  the  hind  part  of  the  neck  is  destitute  of  plumage,  that  it  may  be  the  more 
conveniently  drawn  in  over  the  breast,  but  is  covered  with  the  long  feathers  of  the 
throat  and  sides  of  the  neck  that  enclose  it  behind;  wings  and  tail  dark  glossy 
green,  tipped  and  bordered  with  yellowish-white ;  legs  and  feet  yellow,  tinged  be- 
fore with  green,  the  skin  of  these  thick  and  movable;  belly  ashy-brown;  irides 
bright-orange ;  head  crested  and  very  dark  glossy  green. 

"The  female,  as  I  have  particularly  observed  in  numerous  instances,  differs  in 
nothing,  as  to  color,  from  the  male ;  neither  of  them  recefve  the  long  feathers  on  the 
back  during  the  first  season." — Wilson. 

Hab. — Canada  and  Oregon,  southward  to  northern  South  America  and  the  West 
Indies  ;  rare  or  absent  in  the  middle  province. 

The  Green  Heron  is  known  by  a  variety  of  local  names,  some  of 
which  are  much  more  expressive  than  elegant.  This  bird,  the  most 
common  and  abundant  of  all  our  Herons,  is  found  throughout  the 
State,  frequenting  rivers,  streams  and  ponds.  It  arrives  in  this  sec- 
tion occasionally  as  early  as  the  first  week  in  April,  from  the  Southern 
States,  where  it  resides  when  the  chilling  blasts  of  winter  have  frozen 
over  our  streams  and  marshes.  This  species  sometimes  breeds  in 
small  companies ;  generally,  however,  but  two  or  three  pairs  are  found 
nesting  together.  The  nests,  built  of  sticks  and  twigs,  are  placed  in 
low  bushes  or  small  trees  adjacent  to  a  stream  or  pond.  The  nests 
frequently  are  built  in  apple  orchards.  Indeed,  the  largest  number 
of  nests  that  I  ever  found  in  one  locality  was  in  an  apple-orchard 
along  the  Brandywine,  where  for  several  years  some  twenty-five  or 
thirty  of  these  birds  annually  resorted.  While  it  is  true  that  I  have 
found  these  Herons  breeding  in  small  numbers  with  the  Night  and 
Great  Blue  Herons  in  Pennsylvania,  and  also  in  Florida  in  company 
with  the  Little  Blue,  Louisiana  and  Snowy  Herons,  and  even  some- 
times in  the  colonies  of  Water  Turkeys  and  Cormorants,  I  think,  as  a 
rule,  they  usually  prefer  to  remain  by  themselves  during  the  season 
of  reproduction  as  well  as  at  other  times.  Various  writers  state  that 
the  eggs  are  four  in  number.  I  have  examined  many  nests,  and  con- 
sider the  usual  complement  to  be  not  less  than  five ;  frequently  six 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


eggs  are  laid.     The  eggs  are  pale-blue  and  larger  than  those  of  our 
common  pigeon. 

FOOD. 

This  species  feeds  much  more  frequently  on  insects  than  other  of 
the  Herons  that  reside  with  us.  Nuttall  writes  of  the  Green  Heron 
in  the  following  language  :  u  He  is  also  particularly  attracted  by  ar- 
tificial ponds  for  fish,  not  refraining  even  to  visit  gardens  and  domes- 
tic premises  which  any  prospect  of  fare  may  offer.  He  is,  at  the  same 
time,  perhaps  as  much  in  quest  of  the  natural  enemy  of  the  fish,  the 
frog,  as  of  the  legitimate  tenants  of  the  pond.  These  bold  and  intru- 
sive visits  are  commonly  made  early  in  the  morning,  or  towards  twi- 
light, and  he  not  unfrequently,  when  pressed  by  hunger,  or  after  ill- 
success,  turns  out  to  hunt  his  fare  by  day  as  well  as  dusk,  and,  at  such 
times,  collects  various  larvae,  particularly  those  of  the  dragori-fly,  with 
grasshoppers  and  different  kinds  of  insects.  At  other  times  he  preys 
upon  small  fish,  crabs  and  frogs,  for  which  he  often  lies  patiently  in 
wait  till  they  reappear  from  their  hiding  places  in  the  water  or  mud, 
and  on  being  transfixed  and  caught,  which  is  effected  wiih  great  dex- 
terity, they  are  commonly  beaten  to  death,  if  large,  and  afterwards 
swallowed  at  leisure." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

June  —  ,  1879,    .   . 

Barnegat,  N.  J.,  .    .    .    . 

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

2 

Oct.     10,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

"Fall-fish." 

3 
4 

April  29,  1880, 
April  29,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.    .   . 

Frog  and  minnows. 
Fragments  of  insects  and  small 

quantity    of    hair,    probably 

that  of  a  field-mouse. 

5 

May    12,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles. 

6 

7 

July     3,  1880,       . 
June  30,  1881, 

Delaware  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Frog. 
Remains  of  small  fishes. 

8 

Aug.   17,  1881, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

9 

May    14,  1882, 

Lancaster  county,  Pa., 

Fishes  and  frogs. 

10 

July   29,  1882,       . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Remains  of  small  fishes.* 

11 

July   29,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Remains  of  small  fishes.* 

12 

July  29,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Remains  of  small  fishes.* 

13 

July   29,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Remains  of  small  fishes.* 

14 

Sept.     4,  1883, 

York  county,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Dipterous  and  other  insects. 

*  Four  young  birds  taken  from  the  nest. 

GENUS  NYCTICORAX.     STEPHENS. 
202.    Nycticorax  nycticorax  naevius  (BODD). 

Black-crowned  Night  Heron. 

DESCRIPTION.     {Plate  6.) 

Head  above  and  middle  of  back  steel-green ;  wings  and  tail  ashy-blue ;  under 
parts,  forehead,  and  long  occipital  feathers  white  ;  sides  tinged  with  lilac. 

Bill  very  thick  at  the  base,  and  tapering  all  the  way  to  the  tip.  Culmen  nearly 
straight  for  half  its  length,  then  considerably  curved ;  lower  outline  of  bill  nearly 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  25 

straight ;  legs  short,  but  stout ;  the  tarsus  equal  to  the  middle  toe ;  covered  through- 
out with  hexagonal  scales,  the  anterior  largest,  but  those  on  the  upper  portion  much 
larger,  and  going  entirely  across ;  tibia  bare  for  about  one-fifth ;  lateral  toes  nearly 
equal;  the  outer  rather  longest;  claws  small;  considerably  curved;  tail  short,  of 
twelve  broad,  rather  stiff  feathers. 

Head  with  the  occipital  feathers  elongated,  and  with  two  or  three  very  long,  straight 
feathers  (as  long  as  the  bill  and  head)  springing  from  the  occiput.  These  are  rolled 
up  so  as  to  appear  like  a  single  cylindrical  feather;  back  of  the  neck  covered  with 
down,  but  not  provided  with  long  feathers;  interscapular  feathers  and  scapulars 
elongated  and  lanceolate,  the  webs  scarcely  decomposed. 

The  upper  part  of  the  head,  including  the  upper  eyelids,  the  occipital  crest,  and 
the  interscapular  region  and  scapulars,  dark  lustrous  steel-green ;  the  wings  and 
tail  are  ashy-blue  ;  the  under  parts,  the  forehead,  and  the  long  occipital  feathers,  are 
white,  passing  into  pale  ashy-lilac  on  the  sides  and  on  the  neck  above ;  this  color,  in 
fact,  tinging  nearly  the  whole  under  parts.  The  region  along  the  base  of  the  bill, 
however,  is  nearly  pure,  as  are  the  tibia.  The  bill  is  black  ;  the  loral  space  green  ; 
the  iris  red;  the  feet  yellow;  the  claws  brown. 

Length,  about  25  inches ;  wing,  12.50;  tarsus,  3.15;  bill,  above,  3.10. 

Hab.— America,  from  the  British  possessions  southward  to  the  Falkland  Islands, 
including  part  of  the  West  Indies. 

Next  to  the  Green  Heron  the  Night  Heron  is  unquestionably  the 
most  abundant  of  the  family  in  this  State.  The  adult  birds  are  easily 
distinguished  from  other  Herons  by  the  black  feathers  on  top  of  head 
and  back,  red  eyes,  and  frequently  three  long,  fine,  white  feathers, 
which  grow  from  the  base  of  the  head.  The  plumage  of  the  young 
birds  is  grayish-brown  above,  with  numerous  spots  or  stripes  of 
white  ;  lower  parts  lighter ;  eyes  light  yellow. 

The  appellation,  Night  Heron,  is  highly  appropriate,  as  this  bird  is 
strictly  nocturnal  in  its  habits.  During  the  daytime  the  Night  Heron 
is  inactive,  and  generally  is  found  perched  on  a  log  or  the  limb  of  a 
tree  in  a  quiet  nook  about  the  swamps  and  streams.  As  twilight  ap- 
proaches this  drowsy  wader  becomes,  as  it  were,  a  new^  being — im- 
pelled, no  doubt,  by  the  pangs  of  hunger — he  stands  erect,  the  loose 
and  shaggy  plumage,  which  before  seemed  ill-adapted  to  his  body, 
now  fits  neat  and  closely  as  he  carefully  walks  to  the  extremity  of  the 
dead  and  decorticated  limb  on  which  he  has  been  dozing,  and  sud- 
denly with  a  loud  squawk  launches  himself  into  the  air,  uttering  at 
short  intervals  his  harsh  note,  and,  rising  above  the  trees  of  the  forest, 
he  speedily  visits  some  favorite  mill-dam.  These  birds  arrive  in  Penn- 
sylvania about  the  25th  of  April  and  remain  until  the  latter  part  of 
September.  They  seem  to  repair  at  once  on  their  arrival  in  spring  to 
localities  where  they  are  accustomed  to  breed.  After  the  breeding, 
i.  e.,  about  the  middle  of  August,  when  the  young  are  amply  able  to 
provide  for  themselves  these  birds  forsake  their  nesting-places  and  be- 
come quite  plentiful  along  the  rivers,  streams  and  bushy  marshes. 
The  Night  Heron  rarely,  if  ever,  breeds  singly,  but  always  in  large 
companies.  I  have  visited,  on  different  occasions,  two  of  these  breed- 
ing resorts  and  found  from  twenty-five  to  seventy-five  nests,  which, 


26  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

like  those  of  the  other  species,  were  built  of  sticks  and  placed  usually 
in  high  trees.  In  Berks  county,  near  Blue  Rock,  for  many  years  this 
species  annually  reared  their  young  in  the  edge  of  a  large  woods  along 
the  margin  of  which  was  a  good- sized  stream  of  clear  running  water. 
In  this  place  many  of  the  nests  were  built  in  a  bunch  of  saplings, 
some  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  high  and  so  small  in  diameter  that  it  was 
impossible  to  climb  them.  Wilson  has  very  properly  said  that  the 
noise  of  the  old  and  young  in  one  of  these  breedingiplaces  would  in- 
duce one  to  suppose  that  two  or  three  hundred  Indians  were  choking 
or  throttling  each  other.  The  same  writer,  in  referring  to  examina- 
tions which  he  made,  states  that  the  teeth  of  the  pectinated  claw  were 
thirty-five  or  forty  in  number,  and,  as  they  contained  particles  of  the 
down  of  the  bird,  showed  evidently  from  this  circumstance  that  they 
act  the  part  of  a  comb,  to  rid  the  bird  of  vermin  in  those  parts  which 
it  cannot  reach  with  its  bill. 

FOOD. 

The  late  Isaac  G.  Darlington,  of  West  Chester,  some  years  ago,  had 
large  numbers  of  gold-fishes  in  a  pond  near  his  residence.  One  day 
Mr.  Darlington  caught  twenty-five  of  these  fish  and  placed  them  in  a 
small  pool,  intending  to  remove  them  the  following  morning.  About 
bedtime,  Mr.  D.  said,  I  heard  a  loud  squawking,  and  on  going  out  saw 
two  Night  Herons  actively  engaged  in  catching  these  fish.  I  shot  one 
of  the  robbers,  which  you  there  see  mounted,  on  the  book-case,  and 
on  making  an  investigation  found  only  one  of  the  fish  remaining. 
"An  incident  may  illustrate  the  habits  of  the  Night  Heron,  and  per- 
haps of  the  whole  family.  A  Night  Heron  had  been  noticed  for  sev- 
eral days  sitting  on  a  tree  near  a  branch  of  White  Clay  creek.  It  was 
at  length  shot  and  brought  to  me,  with  the  tail  of  a  large  fish  project- 
ing four  inches  beyond  its  bill.  On  removing  the  fish  (a  sucker  Ca- 
tostorn.us,  which  must  have  been  twelve  inches  long),  its  head  and 
shoulders — except  the  bony  portions — were  eaten  away  by  the  gastric 
liquor  of  the  stomach.  This  case  affords  evidence  of  the  facts : 

"  1.  Of  the  great  strength  and  dexterity  of  the  bird  to  capture  so 
large  a  fish. 

"  2.  Of  the  instinctive  sagacity  to  swallow  the  fish  head  foremost. 

"3.  Of  the  great  length  of  time  required  to  digest  so  large  an  ob- 
ject as  it  slowly  entered  the  stomach. 

'4  4:.  Of  the  stolid  endurance  of  the  bird  under  circumstances  appar- 
ently so  uncomfortable." — Michener. 

I  have  examined  the  stomachs  of  twenty  odd  of  these  Herons,  adult 
and  young,  which  have  been  shot  in  June  at  the  breeding-grounds, 
and  found  in  all  only  the  remains  of  fishes.  In  two  or  three  imma- 
ture birds,  taken  in  August  and  September,  I  have  discovered  a  few 
grasshoppers  and  portions  of  insects. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  27 


ORDER  PALTJDICOLJ].  RAILS,  ETC. 

SUBORDER   RALLL    RAILS,  COOTS,  ETC. 
FAMILY  RALLID^E.   RAILS,  GALLINULES,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY  RALLIN^.  RAILS. 
GENUS   RALLTJS.    LINN^IUS. 
212.    Rallus  virginianus  LINN. 

Virginia  Rail. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Much  smaller  than  either  the  Clapper  or  King  Rails,  but  resembling  them  in  form, 
and  resembling  also  J2.  elegans  in  colors;  upper  parts  olive-brown,  with  longitudinal 
stripes  of  brownish-black  ;  line  from  base  of  bill  over  the  eye  reddish-white ;  throat 
white  ;  neck  before  and  breast  bright-rufous ;  abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts  with 
transverse  bands  of  black  and  white,  the  former  being  the  wider ;  upper  wing  cov- 
erts bright  rufous-chestnut;  under  wing  coverts  black,  with  transverse  lines  of 
white;  iris  red. 

Total  length  (from  tip  of  bill  to  end  of  tail),  about  7^  inches;  wing,  4;  tail,  H 
inches. 

Hab.—  North  America,  from  British  provinces  south  to  Guatemala  and  Cuba. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  plumage  of  the  Virginia  and 
King  Rails  is  similar,  the  species  can  readily  be  distinguished  by  the 
great  difference  in  size,  the  Virginia  Rail  being  only  about  one-third 
as  large  as  the  King  Rail.  This  species  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  by 
the  first  of  May  and  remains  with  us  until  the  middle  of  October — 
specimens  have  been  killed  during  the  first  week  in  November. 
These  birds,  although  only  occasionally  observed,  are,  I  am  certain, 
much  more  plentiful  about  our  large  swamps  and  marshy  river  borders 
than  it  is  usually  supposed.  Frequenting,  as  they  de  at  all  times, 
however,  marshy  districts,  which  are  thickly  covered  with  various 
grasses,  bushes,  reeds,  &c.,  it  is  rather  exceptional  to  see  them.  Like 
all  the  Rails,  they  are  shy  and  timid.  If  approached  they  seldom  fly, 
but  run  rapidly  and  quickly  conceal  themselves  among  the  thick  tus- 
socks or  other  suitable  cover.  They  are  seemingly  in  no  way  impeded 
in  making  their  retreat  even  across  large-sized  spaces  of  water  on 
which  are  floating  a  few  blades  of  grass,  leaves  or  twigs,  over  which 
they  run  with  the  same  celerity  as  when  on  the  ground.  The  nest,  a 
frail  structure  consisting  mainly  of  grass,  is  built  commonly  in  a  tus- 
sock located  generally  in  the  most  inaccessible  portion  of  the  swamp. 
The  eggs,  it  is  said,  vary  in  number  from  six  to  ten  and  are  dirty 
white,  with  numerous  spots  and  different  shades  of  brown.  Nuttall 
writes :  "  The  female  is  so  much  attached  to  her  eggs,  after  sitting,  as 
sometimes  to  allow  of  being  taken  up  by  the  hand  rather  than  desert 


28 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


the  premises,  which  affection  appears  the  more  necessary  as  the  male 
seems  to  desert  his  mate  and  leave  her  in  the  sole  charge  of  her  little 
family." 

FOOD. 

According  to  several  writers,  the  food  of  this  bird  is  made  up  al- 
most entirely  of  various  forms  of  aquatic  insects,  larvas  and  worms. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Sept.     3,  1879,    .    . 

Delaware  county,  Pa., 

Beetles. 

2 

Sept.   15,  1879,    .    . 

Phila.  Market,  Pa.,    . 

Insects  and  small  seeds. 

8 

Sept.   15,  1879,    .    . 

Phila.  Market,  Pa.,    . 

Fragments  of  beetles. 

4 

May    13,  1880,    .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Earth-worms. 

5 

May    30,  1880,    .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  vegetable  matter. 

6 

July   20,  1882,    .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles. 

7 

Oct.       5,  1882,    .    . 

Delaware  county,  Pa., 

Insects  and  small  seeds. 

8 

Aug.   14,  1883,    .    . 

Wilmington,  Del.,  .    . 

Beetles. 

9 

Sept.     2,  1884,    .    . 

Delaware  county,  Pa., 

Beetles. 

10 
11 

Sept.     2,  1884,    .    . 
Sept.     2,  1884,    .    . 

Delaware  county,  Pa., 
Delaware  county,  Pa., 

Small  "worms." 
Beetles  and  seeds. 

GENUS   PORZANA.     VIEILLOT. 
214.    Porzana  Carolina  (LINN.). 

Sora;  Carolina  Rail;  Rail-bird,  Etc. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  7.) 

Space  around  the  base  of  the  bill,  extending  downwards  on  the  neck  before  and 
over  the  top  of  the  head,  black. 

Male. — Upper  parts  greenish-brown,  with  longitudinal  bands  of  black,  and  many 
feathers  having  narrow  stripes  of  white  on  their  edges ;  behind  the  eye,  sides  of  the 
neck,  and  the  breast,  fine  bluish-ashy,  with  circular  spots  and  transverse  bands  of 
white  on  the  breast;  middle  of  the  abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts  white ;  sides  and 
flanks  with  transverse  bands  of  brownish-black  and  white ;  bill  greenish-yellow ; 
legs  dark-green. 

Female.— Similar,  but  duller  in  colors ;  iris  light-brown  in  both  sexes. 

Young.— Without  black  at  the  base  of  the  bill  or  on  the  neck  ;  throat  dull-white  ; 
breast  dull  yellowish-ashy  ;  upper  parts  tinged  with  dull-yellow. 

Length,  about  8|  inches ;  extent,  about  13  inches ;  wing,  4^ ;  tail,  about  2  inches. 

Hab.—  Temperate  North  America,  but  most  common  in  the  eastern  province, 
breeding  chiefly  northward.  South  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and  northern  South 
America. 

The  Carolina  Rail  and  Virginia  Rail  resemble  each  other  in  size 
and  form,  but  otherwise  are  greatly  different.  First,  they  differ  in 
plumage ;  secondly,  the  bill  of  the  Carolina  Rail  is  about  three-fourths 
of  an  inch  long,  while  in  the  Virginia  Rail  this  organ  is  often  over 
one  and  one-half  inches  in  length;  again,  the  legs  of  the  Carolina 
Rail  are  greenish-yellow,  those  of  the  Virginia  Rail  are  dull  reddish  - 
brown.  This  species  and  the  preceding  may  be  said  to  be  the  only 
Rails  which  are  regularly  found  in  Pennsylvania.  The  Carolina  Rail 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


29 


arrives  in  this  region  about  the  first  week  in  May.  During  the  latter 
part  of  August  and  early  in  September,  it  is  not  uncommon  to  find 
this  species  in  parties  numbering  from  half  a  dozen  to  twenty  indi- 
viduals in  the  swamps  and  wet  grassy  meadows.  The  Messrs.  Baird 
mention  this  species  among  the  natives  of  Cumberland  county.  Al- 
though I  have  never  discovered  their  nests,  I  am  fully  convinced  that 
they  oftentimes  breed  with  us.  Prof.  E.  A.  Samuels,  of  Boston,  Mass., 
in  his  interesting  and  instructive  work  entitled  u  Our  Northern  and 
Eastern  Birds"  gives  the  following  account  of  nests  and  eggs  :  "  Early 
in  May  the  season  of  incubation  commences.  The  nest  is  constructed 
of  pieces  of  straw  and  weeds,  arranged  in  a  large  pile,  and  hollowed  to 
the  depth  of  an  inch  or  more :  it  is  usually  placed  in  a  tussock  of 
grass  or  beneath  a  piece  of  turf.  A  specimen,  which  I  found  in  Ded- 
ham  meadows,  was  built  beneath  some  thick  cranberry-vines,  and  I 
have  known  of  others  being  placed  in  small  brier  patches ;  but  gen- 
erally the  fabric  is  built  in  an  open  meadow,  usually  on  an  elevated 
tussock  in  a  boggy  tract  of  ground.  The  eggs  vary  from  five  to  eight 
or  ten  in  number;  their  form  is  almost  always  an  exact  ovoidal. 
Their  color  is  a  yellow-drab,  with  a  faint-olivaceous  tint,  different 
from  the  color  of  any  of  our  other  Rail's  eggs.  They  vary  in  dimen- 
sions from  1.35  by  1  inch  (Quincy,  Mass.)  to  1.15  by  .85  inch  (Albion, 
Wis.).  The  average  size  is  about  1.26  by  1.92  (Cambridge  and  Need- 
ham,  Mass.)." 

FOOD. 

During  fall  migrations,  when  this  species  is  shot  in  great  numbers 
about  the  reedy  shores  of  the  large  rivers,  their  diet  is  principally  of 
a  vegetal  character ;  when  breeding  it  is  said  they  subsist  chiefly  on 
insects  and  their  larvae. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Sept.   8,  1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Green-colored  vegetable  matter. 

2 

Sept.    8,  1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Brown-colored    seeds,     large    and 

small. 

3 

Sept.   8,  1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Brown  and  yellow-colored  seeds. 

Sept    8,  1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Brown  and  yellow-colored  seeds. 

5 

Sept   8,  1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Yellow  seeds  and  particles  of  shells. 

6 

Sept   8,  1880, 

Xear  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Green-colored  vegetable  matter. 

7 

Sept   8,  1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter. 

8 

Sept   8,  1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Yellow-colored  seeds. 

Sept   8,  1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Yellow  and  brown-colored  seeds. 

10 

Sept   8,  1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter. 

11 

Sept.    8,  1880, 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter. 

12 

Sept.    8,  1880,     . 

Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter. 

13 

3.  1880, 

Pocopson,  Pa.,      .... 

Black-colored  seeds. 

14      May    3,  1882,     . 
15      July  20,  1884,     . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  "worms." 
Small  green  seeds. 

16     Aug.  12,  1884,     . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  vegetable  matter. 

30  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

215.    Porzana  noveboracensis  (GMEL.). 

Yellow  Rail. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Entire  upper  parts  ochre-yellow,  with  longitudinal  wide  stripes  of  brownish-black 
and  transverse  narrow  stripes  of  white ;  neck  and  breast  reddish  ochre-yellow ;  many 
feathers  tipped  with  brown  ;  middle  of  abdomen  white ;  flanks  and  ventral  region 
with  transverse  bands  of  dark  reddish-brown  and  narrow  bands  of  white ;  under 
tail  coverts  rufous  with  small  spots  of  white  and  black  ;  under  wing  coverts  white. 

Length,  (from  tip  of  bill  to  end  of  tail)  about  6  inches;  extent,  about  13;  wing, 
3| ;  tail,  If  ;  bill,  |  inch. 

Hab.— Eastern  North  America,  from  Nova  Scotia  and  Hudson's  Bay  west  to  Utah 
and  Nevada.  No  extralimital  record  except  Cuba  and  the  Bermudas. 

Birds  of  this  species  are  occasionally  taken  about  our  rivers  and 
meadows  during  the  spring  and  fall  migrations.  I  have  seen  two 
specimens  which  were  captured  in  the  early  part  of  July,  1882,  in 
Delaware  county,  near  Chester  city.  It  is  possible  that  this  little 
Kail  sometimes  breeds  in  Pennsylvania,  yet  I  have  no  positive  infor- 
mation to  this  effect.  According  to  Audubon  the  nest  is  usually 
placed  on  the  ground,  in  the  center  of  a  thick  tuft  of  grass.  It  is 
composed  of  different  kinds  of  weeds,  and  is  occasionally  covered 
over  in  the  same  manner  as  that  of  the  Meadow  Lark.  The  eggs,  ac- 
cording to  different  writers,  vary  from  six  to  ten,  and  are  described  as 
yellowish-brown,  marked  at  the  larger  end  with  reddish  spots,  and 
measure  about  1.13  by  .82  inches. 

SUBFAMILY  GALLINULIN.S3.    GALLINULES. 

GENUS   GALLJNULA.     BRISSON. 
219.    Gallinula  galeata  (LIGHT.). 

Florida  Gallinule;  Blue  Rail. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Frontal  plate  large,  obovate,  terminating  square  on  the  top  of  the  head  ;  bill  shorter 
than  the  head,  rather  thick,  compressed ;  wing  rather  long ;  tail  short ;  legs  mod- 
erate ;  toes  and  claws  long,  robust.  Head,  neck,  and  entire  under  parts  dark  bluish- 
cinereous,  frequently  nearly  black  on  the  head  and  neck,  and  generally  lighter  on 
the  abdomen' ;  a  few  feathers  on  the  flanks  widely  edged  with  white  ;  edge  of  wing 
at  the  shoulder  and  outer  edge  of  first  primary  quill  white  ;  shorter  under  tail  cov- 
erts black,  longer  white.  Upper  parts  brownish-olive  ;  darker  on  the  rump  ;  quills 
dark-brown  ;  tail,  brownish-black  ;  frontal  plate  and  bill  bright-red,  tipped  with  yel- 
low ;  tibia  with  bright-red  space  on  the  portion  next  to  the  feathers  ;  (the  red  color 
on  frontal  plate  and  tibiae  is  oftentimes  hardly  noticeable  in  specimens  taken  in  au- 
tumn ;)  lower  portion  of  tibia,  tarsus,  and  toes  yellowish-green  ;  iris  brown. 

Total  length,  about  12£  inches ;  extent,  about  21 ;  wing,  6| ;  tail,  3 ;  bill,  1£ ;  tarsus, 

ii- 

Hab.—  Temperate  and  tropical  America,  from  Canada  to  Brazil  and  Chili. 

The  Blue  Rail,  as  the  Florida  Gallinule  is  usually  called  by  sports- 
men, is  a  regular,  though  rare,  spring  and  fall  migrant  in  this  locality. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


31 


The  Messrs.  Baird  mention  this  species  as  a  rare  native  in  Cumberland 
county.  Their  food,  according  to  Audubon,  u  consists  of  grasses,  seeds, 
water  insects,  worms  and  snails,  along  with  which  they  swallow  a 
good  deal  of  sand  or  gravel." 


Xo. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 
3 

4 

May   11,  1879,    . 
Sept.    8,  1880,    . 
Sept.  15,  1880,    . 

Oct.     20,  1883,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 
Near  Chester  city,  Pa., 

Phila.  Market,  Pa.,    .   . 

Vegetable  matter  ^green-colored). 
Seeds. 
Seeds  and  green-colored  vegetable 
matter. 
Black-colored  seeds. 

In  addition  to  the  examinations  given  in  the  above  table,  I  found 
in  the  gizzards  of  five  of  these  birds,  which  were  killed  in  Florida,  in 
March,  1885,  numerous  small  yellow  and  brown  seeds;  also  the  stems 
and  leaves  of  different  kinds  of  aquatic  plants. 


SUBFAMILY  FULICIN^l.    COOTS. 
GENUS  FULJCA.     LINN^US. 
221.    Fulica  americana  GMEL. 

American  Coot. 

(Plate  8.) 

Hab. — North  America,  from  Greenland  and  Alaska,  southward  to  the  West  Indies 
and  Central  America. 

To  recognize  a  Coot,  remember  it  is  about  the  size  of  a  Pheasant, 
bill  short,  thick  and  white,  or  nearly  so,  dark  at  base  of  frontal  plate, 
and  a  brownish  spot  near  the  end  of  each  mandible.  Head  and  neck 
black ;  body  lead-gray  color ;  white  on  edge  of  wing  and  a  white  patch 
under  its  tail ;  toes  furnished  with  broad  lobes.  The  American  Coot, 
commonly  known  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  as  Mud-hen,*  breeds  in 
various  -localities  throughout  its  extensive  range.  In  the  British  prov- 
inces it  is  said  to  be  quite  a  common  summer  resident.  Mr.  Samuels 
remarks  that  it  breeds  probably  in  all  the  New  England  States.  Dr. 
Coues  has  found  it  breeding  in  northern  Montana  and  Dakota.  Mr. 
H.  W.  Henshaw  found  them  to  be  very  numerous  at  the  Alkali  lakes, 
southern  Colorado,  where,  according  to  this  eminent  authority,  "  they 
breed  in  colonies  among  the  rushes,  the  nests  often  being  but  a  few 
feet  apart.  These  are  very  bulky  structures,  composed  of  weeds  and 

*The  vernacular  name  of  Mudhen  is  also  given  to  the  Clapper  Rail  (Rallus  longirostris  crepi- 
tcms— Gmel.)  which  breeds  so  abundantly  in  the  extensive  marshes  about  Atlantic  City  and  else- 
where on  the  Atlantic  coast  in  New  Jersey  and  southward. 


32  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

rushes  raised  to  a  height  of  several  inches  from  the  surface  of  the 
water,  so  that  the  eggs  are  kept  perfectly  dry,  and  are  moored  to  the 
stems  of  the  surrounding  reeds."  During  the  winter  months  Coots 
may  be  seen  in  large  flocks  along  the  St.  John's  river,  Florida ;  at 
"  Mud  Lake,"  about  ten  miles  north  of  Sanford,  I  have  seen  over  a 
thousand  in  one  flock. 

These  birds  arrive  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  last  week  in  April,  and, 
like  the  Rails,  are  found  frequenting  marshy  sloughs,  etc.  Coots  do  not, 
I  think,  breed  in  this  Commonwealth,  but  occur  here  chiefly  as  spring 
and  fall  migrants ;  they  are  much  more  common  in  the  autumn  than 
during  the  spring.  Audubon  states  that  its  food  consists  of  seeds, 
grasses,  small  fishes,  worms,  snails  and  insects,  along  with  which  it 
introduces  into  its  stomach  a  good  quantity  of  rather  coarse  sand. 
Nuttall  observes  that  they  feed  principally  on  aquatic  vegetable  sub- 
stances, as  seeds,  leaves,  etc.  In  March,  1885,  I  obtained  seventeen 
Coots  at  Little  Lake  George,  Florida,  and  found  in  the  stomachs  of 
all  only  small  seeds,  blades  of  grass,  with,  in  most  every  instance,  a 
small  quantity  of  sand  or  gravel.  Six  of  these  birds,  which  I  have 
obtained  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  had  only  vegetable  materials,  small 
black  and  yellow  seeds,  also  sand  in  their  muscular  gizzards. 


ORDER  LIMICOLJ].  SHORE  BIRDS. 

FAMILY    SCOLOPACID^E.     SNIPES  AND  SANDPIPERS. 

GENUS   PHILOHELA.     GRAY. 
228.    Philohela  minor  (GMEL.). 

American  "Woodcock. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  long,  compressed,  punctulated  and  corrugated  near  the  end  ;  upper  mandible 
longer  than  the  under,  and  fitted  to  it  at  the  tip ;  wings  moderate,  three  first  prima- 
ries shorter  than  the  fourth  and  very  narrow ;  tail  short ;  legs  moderate ;  eyes  in- 
serted unusually  distant  from  the  bill ;  occiput  with  three  transverse  bands  of  black, 
alternating  with  three  others  of  pale  yellowish-rufous ;  upper  parts  of  body  vari- 
egated with  pale-ashy,  rufous,  or  yellowish-red  of  various  shades,  and  black ;  large 
space  in  front,  and  throat,  reddish-ashy ;  line  from  the  eye  to  the  bill,  and  another 
on  the  neck  below  the  eye,  brownish-black  ;  entire  under  parts  pale-rufous,  brighter 
on  the  sides  and  under  wing  coverts ;  quills  ashy-brown ;  tail  feathers  brownish- 
black,  tipped  with  ashy,  darker  on  the  upper  surface,  paler  and  frequently  white  on 
the  under ;  bill  light-brown,  paler  and  yellowish  at  base ;  legs  pale-reddish ;  iris 
brown. 

Total  length,  about  11  inches ;  wing,  5|  ;  tail  2^  ;  tarsus,  If  inches. 

Hab. — Eastern  province  of  North  America,  north  to  the  British  provinces,  west 
to  Dakota,  Kansas,  etc.,  breeding  throughout  its  range  ;  no  extralimital  records. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  33 

This  bird,  well  known  to  sportsmen,  is  frequently  confounded  by 
the  casual  observer  with  the  Gray  or  Wilson's  Snipe.  This  error, 
however,  can  readily  be  avoided  if  you  bear  in  mind  that  the  Wood- 
cock has  entire  lower  parts,  including  lining  of  wings,  uniformly  red 
dish  brown;  on  the  other  hand,  the  snipe  has  abdomen  white,  throat 
and  upper  parts  of  the  breast  speckled  and  the  lining  of  the  wings 
barred  with  white  and  black.  Bill  in  both  species  measures  two  and 
one  half  inches  or  more  in  length.  The  Woodcock  arrives  in  Penn- 
sylvania about  the  middle  of  March,  sometimes  earlier,  and  occasion- 
ally a  few  are  found  during  the  u  warm-spells  "  of  winter  lingering 
about  the  spring-heads.  This  bird,  strictly  speaking,  is  an  inhabitant 
of  the  lowlands  and  boggy  districts  of  our  woods  and  dense  thickets. 
Oftentimes  during  the  fall  migrations  it  is  found  along  the  muddy 
shores  of  streams,  etc.,  or  in  the  late  summer  when  its  usual  feeding- 
grounds  have  become  dry  and  hard  through  the  continued  summer's 
heat,  it  resorts  to  corn-fields  where  it  probes  the  humid  soil  in  search 
of  food.  I  am  not  positive  that  the  u  Wood-hen,  as  some  aesthetic 
market-women  prefer  to  call  her,''  makes  any  attempt  to  build  a  nest. 
In  April,  on  three  occasions,  I  have  found  eggs,  and  once  (May  10) 
took  four  young,  but  a  few  days  old,  all  of  which  were  on  the  ground 
in  the  woods.  The  eggs  were  deposited  in  slight  depressions  in  the 
earth,  in  and  about  which  were  dried  leaves ;  the  young  birds  were 
discovered  on  a  lot  of  dead  oak-leaves,  and  from  the  appearance  of 
their  bed  I  judge  they  had  been  there -only  a  short  time.  It  is  stated 
by  Dr.  Coues  a  that  the  young  are  sometimes  removed  from  danger 
by  the  parent  carrying  them  with  the  feet.''  The  Woodcock  is  prin- 
cipally nocturnal  in  its  habits,  and  during  the  fall  migrations  is  gre- 
garious. I  shot  one  of  these  birds  in  Florida,  in  March,  1885,  and  was 
informed  by  Mr.  Richard  L.  Dade  that  the  species  breeds  in  that 
State. 

FOOD. 

Xuttall  writes  :  "According  to  their  usual  habits,  they  keep  secluded 
in  the  woods  and  thickets  till  the  approach  of  evening,  when  they 
sally  forth  to  seek  out  springs,  paths  and  broken  soil,  in  quest  of 
worms  and  other  insects,  on  which  they  feed.  They  now  disperse 
themselves  over  the  country  to  breed,  and  indicate  their  presence  in 
all  directions  by  the  marks  of  their  boring  bills,  which  are  seen  in 
such  soft  and  boggy  places  as  are  usually  sheltered  by  thickets  and 
woods.  They  also  turn  over  the  fallen  leaves  from  side  to  side  with 
their  bills  in  quest  of  lurking  insects,  but  never  scratch  with  their 
feet,  though  so  robust  in  appearance.  The  sensibility  possessed  by 
the  extremity  of  the  bill,  as  in  the  Snipe,  is  of  such  an  exquisite  na- 
ture that  they  are  enabled  to  collect  their  food  by  the  mere  touch, 
3  BIRDS. 


34 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


without  using  their  eyes,*  which  are  set  at  such  a  distance  and  eleva- 
tion in  the  back  part  of  the  head  as  to  give  the  bird  a  remarkable  as- 
pect of  stupidity." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

2 
3 
4 
5 

6 

7 
8 
9 

May   10,  1879,    . 
May   10,  1879, 
May   10,  1879, 
May    10,  1879, 
May   10,  18:9, 

July  20,  1882, 
Aug.    3,  1884, 
Oct.     20,  1882, 
Nov.     8,  1880, 

Willistown,  Pa.,      .    .   . 
Willistown,  Pa.,      .    .    . 
Willistown,  Pa.,      .    .    . 
Willistown,  Pa.,      .    .    . 
Willistown,  Pa.,      ... 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Delaware  county,  Pa.,  . 
Schuylkill  county,  Pa., 
Delaware,   

Small  fragments  of  "worms."1* 
Small  fragments  of  "worms."* 
Small  fragments  of  "worms."-'' 
Small  fragments  of  "worms."* 
Earth-worms  and  fragments  <>t'  bee- 
tle.! 
Spider  and  unrecognizable  insects. 
Insects  and  larva\ 
Beetles  and  earth-worms. 
Small  seeds. 

*A11  young  birds. 


t  Parent  of  above. 


GENUS   GALLINAGO.     LEACH. 
230.    Gallinago  delicata  (ORD.). 

Wilson's  Snipe;  Gray  Snipe. 

(Pate  P.) 

Dimensions. — Length,  about  11  inches;  extent,  about  18  inches;  wing,  about  5 
inches  ;  tarsus,  1.25;  tail,  2.25  inches.  Female  somewhat  smaller  than  the  male. 

Hab. — North  and  middle  America,  breeding  from  the  northern  United  Mates 
north waf d  ;  south  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and  northern  South  America. 

This  bird,  usually,  though  improperly,  called  "  English  Snipe,"  ar- 
rives in  Pennsylvania  about  the  last  week  in  March.  After  the  first 
of  May,  these  birds  are  rarely  seen  acain  until  the  fall  migrations,  at 
which  time  you  seldom  find  them  in  small  flocks  or  u  wisps,"  but  gen- 
erally see  them  singly  in  the  meadows,  where  but  a  few  months  be- 
fore they  were  plentiful.  The  Gray  Snipe  is  not  found  in  the  woods 
or  dense  thickets,  but  at  times  when  sojourning  in  this  region  is  seen 
about  the  marshes  or  meadqws,  and  in  the  early  spring  he  shows  a 
special  preference  for  spring-heads,  about  which,  at  this  time,  the 
tender  blades  of  grasses  grow  in  abundance.  Audubon  says :  kt  I 
never  had  the  good  fortune  to  meet  with  a  nest  in  Pennsylvania,  al- 
though I  have  known  several  instances  of  a  pair  breeding  not  far  from 
Mill  Grove,  on  the  Perkioming."  While  I  do  not  dispute  the  fact  that 
a  few  nests  of  this  species  have,  at  times,  been  taken  in  Pennsylvania, 
I  am  quite  certain  that  the  Snipe  does  not  commonly  breed  in  this 


*The  eyes  being  situated  high  up  and  far  back  in  both  the  Snipe  and  Woodcock  (well  shown 
in  plate  No.  9)  is  a  wise  provision  of  nature,  as  these  birds  by  this  peculiarity  escape  many  of 
their  enemies.  It  can  easily  be  understood  by  this  arrangement  that  the  field  of  vision  is  greatly 
increased.  Obtaining  their  sustenance,  as  they  do,  chiefly  by  probing  with  their  long  bills,  so 
amply  supplied  with  nerves,  they  have  comparatively  little  use  for  their  eyes  when  feeding,  un- 
less it  is  to  keep  a  watch  tor  their  numerous  foes. —  Warren. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


35 


State.  Individuals  of  this  species  have  been  shot  in  summer  near 
West  Chester,  also  in  Delaware  county,  but  on  examining  them  I 
found  that,  although  able  to  fly  a  short  distance,  they  were  so  crippled 
from  wounds  received  during  the  spring  shooting  season  that  they 
were  unable  to  perform  any  extended  migrations.  Should  these  crip- 
ples remain  in  a  locality  during  the  summer  months,  I  have  no  doubt 
some  of  them  might  reproduce. 

FOOD. 

According  to  Audubon,  u  the  food  of  our  common  Snipe  consists 
principally  of  ground- worms,  insects,  and  the  juicy  slender  roots  of 
different  vegetables,  all  of  which  tend  to  give  its  flesh  that  richness 
of  flavor  and  juicy  tenderness  for  which  it  is  so  deservedly  renowned, 
it  being  equal  to  that  of  the  Woodcock.  Many  epicures  eat  up  both 
Snipe  and  Woodcock  with  all  their  viscera,  worms  and  insects  to 
boot,  the  intestines,  in  fact,  being  considered  the  most  savory  parts. 
On  opening  some  newly -killed  Snipe,  I  have  more  than  once  found 
fine  large  and  well-fed  ground- worms,  and  at  times  a  leech,  which  I 
must  acknowledge  I  never  conceived  suitable  articles  of  food  for  man, 
and  for  this  reason  I  have  always  taken  good  care  to  have  both  Snipes 
and  Woodcocks  well  cleaned,  as  all  game  ought  to  be." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

March  22,  1879,  . 

Birmingham,  Pa,,  .    . 

Water    beetles    and   two    seeds   of 

smart-weed.* 

2 

March  22,  1879,  . 

Birmingham,  Pa,,  .    .    . 

Water  beetles  and  three  seeds  of 

smart-weed. 

3 

March  22,  1879,  . 

Birmingham,  Pa,,      .    . 

Water  beetles. 

4 

March  22,  1879,  . 

Birmingham,  Pa,,      .    . 

Water  beetles. 

5 

March  22,  1879,  . 

Birmingham,  Pa,,      .    . 

Water  beetles. 

6 

March  23,  1879,  . 

Birmingham,  Pa,,      .    . 

Beetles. 

7 

April     1,  1879,  . 

West  Chester,  Pa,,      .    . 

Earth-worms    and     fragments     of 

beetles. 

8 

April     2,  1879,  . 

West  Goshen,  Pa,  .    .    . 

Earth-worms. 

9 

April     2,  1879,  . 

West  Goshen,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Earth-worms. 

10 

April     2,  1879,  . 

West  Goshen.  Pa,,  .    .    . 

Beetles  and  blades  of  grass. 

11 

April     2,  1879,  . 

West  Goshen,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Various  insects. 

12 

April     7,  1879,  . 

West  Chester,  Pa,,     .    . 

Beetles    and   two  seeds  of   smart- 

weed. 

18 

April    12,  1879,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Vegetable  matter,  apparently  roots 

of  small  plant. 

14 

April    15,  1879,  . 

East  Bradford,  Pa,, 

Beetles. 

15 

April   15,  1879,  . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.. 

Beetles. 

16 

April  22,  1879,  . 

East  Bradford,  Pa., 

Portions  of  grass  blades  and  roots. 

17 

April      1,  1884,  . 

West  Goshen,  Pa.,  . 

Small  seeds  and  earth-worms. 

18 

Mav       3,  1884,  . 

East  Bradford,  Pa., 

Beetles  and  earth-worms. 

19 

Mav       3,  1884,  . 

East  Bradford,  Pa., 

Beetles. 

20 

Mav       6,  1884,  . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,        . 

Beetles  and  earth-worms. 

21 

May      10,  1884,  . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Various  insects  and  vegetable  mat- 

ter. 

22 

April   17,  1883,  , 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  seeds. 

23 

April    17,  1--:;. 

Chester  county.  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  seeds  and  earth-worms. 

24 

April    17,  1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Vegetable  matter. 

25 

April    17,  1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,, 

Small  seeds. 

*  Polygon  urn. 


36  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS   TK.INGA.     LINNAEUS. 
242.    Tringa  minutilla  YIEILL. 

Least  Sandpiper. 

DESCRIPTION. 

The  smallest  of  all  known  species  of  this  group  found  in  North  America ;  bill 
about  as  long  as  the  head,  slightly  curved  towards  the  end,  which  is  very  slightly 
expanded  ;  grooves  in  both  mandibles  to  near  the  tip  ;  wing  long  ;  tertiaries  nearly 
as  long  as  the  primaries ;  tail  short ;  middle  feathers  longest ;  outer  feathers  fre- 
quently longer  than  the  intermediate ;  legs  long ;  lower  third  of  the  tibia  naked  ; 
toes  long,  slender,  margined,  and  flattened  beneath  ;  hind  toe  small ;  upper  parts 
with  nearly  every  feather  having  a  large  central  spot  of  brownish- black,  and  widely 
margined  with  ashy  and  bright  brownish-red ;  rump  and  middle  of  the  upper  tail 
coverts  black ;  outer  coverts  white,  spotted  with  black  ;  stripe  over  the  eye,  throat, 
and  breast,  pale  ashy-white,  with  numerous  small  longitudinal  spots  of  ashy-brown  ; 
abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts  white;  quills  dark-brown,  with  the  shafts  of  the 
primaries  white  ;  tertiaries  edged  with  reddish  ;  middle  feathers  of  the  tail  brownish- 
black  ;  outer  feathers  light  ashy-white  ;  under  surface  of  wing  light  brownish-ashy, 
with  a  large  spot  of  white  near  the  shoulder ;  axillary  feathers  white ;  bill  black ; 
tarsus  brownish-green  ;  iris  brown. 

Total  length,  from  tip  of  bill  to  end  of  tail,  about  5^  to  6  inches ;  extent,  about  1U 
inches ;  wing,  3|  to  3f  ;  tail  If  ;  bill  to  gape,  f  ;  tarsus,  £  inch. 

Hob. — The  whole  of  North  and  South  America,  breeding  north  of  the  United 
States.  Accidental  in  Europe. 

This,  the  smallest  of  our  Sandpipers,  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  only 
as  a  transitory  visitor  in  the  spring  and  fall  migrations.  According 
to  my  experience,  it  is  rare  in  spring,  but  quite  frequently  found  in 
the  autumn,  at  which  time  it  is  often  seen  in  company  with  other  spe- 
cies of  its  family.  Sometimes  these  birds  are  found  about  our  rivers 
and  ponds  in  good  sized  flocks.  Near  West  Chester,  about  six  years 
ago,  in  the  latter  part  of  August,  an  acquaintance  of  mine  found  a 
flock  of  probably  one  hundred  feeding  on  the  muddy  bottom  of  a  mill- 
dam  from  which  the  water  had  been  allowed  to  escape. 

FOOD. 

In  my  notes  I  find  that  no  records  appear  of  food-materials  of  these 
birds,  although  I  have  obtained  several  in  Pennsylvania  and  killed 
many  along  the  Atlantic  coast  and  elsewhere.  Nuttall  tells  us  that 
"  for  the  discovery  of  their  food  their  flexible  and  sensitive  awl-like 
bills  are  probed  into  1he  mire,  marshy  soil,  or  wet  sand,  in  the  manner 
of  the  Snipe  and  Woodcock,  and  in  this  way  they  discover  and  rout 
from  their  hidden  retreats  the  larvae  and  soft  worms  which  form  a 
principal  part  of  their  fare.  At  other  times  they  also  give  chase  to 
insects,  and  pursue  their  calling  with  amusing  alacrity." 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  37 

GENUS    TOTANUS.     BECHSTEIN. 
255.    Totanus  flavipes  (GMEL.). 

Yellow-legs. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  rather  longer  than  the  head,  straight,  slender,  compressed  ;  wing  long  pointed; 
tail  short ;  legs  long,  lower  half  of  the  tibia  naked ;  toes  moderate,  slender,  mar- 
uinrd,  the  outer  and  middle  united  at  base;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  white,  the 
latter  transversely  barred  with  ashy-brown  ;  other  upper  parts  ashy,  many  feath- 
ers having  large  arrowheads  and  irregular  spots  of  brownish-black,  and  edged  with 
ashy-\vhite;  under  parts  white,  with  numerous  longitudinal  lines  on  the  neck  be- 
fore, and  arrowheads  on  the  sides,  of  dark  ashy-brown  ;  axillaries  and  under  wing 
coverts  white,  with  bands  of  ashy-brown,  very  indistinct  in  many  specimens,  but 
generally  well  defined  ;  quills  brownish-black  ;  tail  ashy-white  with  transverse  bands 
of  dark-brown,  middle  feathers  darker;  bill  greenish-black;  legs  yellow;  iris 
brown. 

Young. — Entire  upper  plumage  tinged  with  reddish-brown  ;  neck  before  with  lines 
much  less  distinct  and  pale-ashy. 

Total  length,  about  10  to  10|  inches  ;  wing,  6  to  6§  ;  tail,  2§ ;  bill,  Ik ;  tarsus,  2  inches. 
Bill  in  this  species  is  always  less  than  2  inches  long. 

Hai>. — America  in  general,  breeding  in  the  cold  temperate  and  sub-arctic  dis- 
tricts, and  migrating  south  in  winter  to  southern  South  America.  Less  common  in 
the  western  than  the  eastern  province  of  North  America, 

This  bird  is  a  miniature  representative  of  the  Greater  Yellow-legs* 
( Totanus  melanoleucus) .  Both  species  are  easily  recognized  by  their 
long  yellow  legs  and  white  markings  on  rump. 

The  Yellow-legs,  commonly  known  along  the  sea-shore  as  "Little 
Yellow-leg-Tell-tale,'?  is  quite  frequently  found  in  Pennsylvania  dur- 
ing migrations  Although  often  seen  in  spring,  it  is  most  numerous 
during  the  last  of  August  and  in  September.  It  is  generally  found 
in  the  interior,  singly  or  in  pairs,  and  sometimes,  though  not  often,  in 
parties  of  five  or  six.  I  have  often  found  them  about  ponds,  pools, 
and  muddy  flats,  never  along  streams  of  running  water,  unless  the 
borders  of  such  streams  were  muddy  and  destitute  of  grasses  and  other 
vegetation.  Dr.  Ezra  Michener,  in  a  list  of  the  Chester  county  birds, 
published  in  1863,  says  this  species  is  a  u  frequent  summer  resident.'' 
I  have  never  known  this  bird  to  occur  in  Chester  county  as  a  summer 
resident,  and  I  am  satisfied  that  it  is  now  found  in  Chester  county  and 
throughout  Pennsylvania  only  as  a  spring  and  autumnal  migrant. 

FOOD. 

Referring  to  the  food  of  this  bird,  Nuttall  says :  u  It  resides  chiefly 
in  the  salt  marshes,  and  frequents  low  flats  and  estuaries  at  the  ebb 
of  the  tide,  wading  in  the  mud  in  quest  of  worms,  insects  and  other 
small  marine  and  finviatile  animals."  I  have  been  informed  that 
these  birds  sometimes  prey  on  small  fishes. 

*  The  Greater  Tell-tale,  as  this  bird  is  usually  denominated  by  gunners,  measures  H  inches  in 
length  by  about  25  inches  in  extent.  The  bill  is  about  2£  inches  long ;  never  under  two  inches  in 
length. 


38 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATKKI  A  i,s. 

1 
2' 
3 
4 
5 
6 

s 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 

April  30,  1879,    . 
May     7,  1879,    . 
Aug.  27,  1879,    . 
Aug.  27,  1879,    . 
Aug.  27,  1879,    . 
Sept.  —  ,  1882,    . 
Sept.  —  ,  1882,    . 
Sept.  —  ,  1882,    . 
Aug.  30,  1882,    . 
Oct.      10,  1880,    . 
Oct.      10,  1880,    . 
Oct.      10,  1880,    . 
Oct.      10,  1880,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  . 
Accomack  county,  Va., 
Accomack  county,  Va., 
Accomack  county,  Va., 
Brigaiitine,  N.  J., 

Insects,  chiefly  beetles. 
Small  "worms." 
Insects. 
Insects. 
Insects. 
"Small  worms." 
"Small  worms." 
Beetles. 
Insects. 
Beetles  and  "worms." 
Insects  and  fragments  of 
Insects. 
Insects. 

shells. 

Brigantine,  N.  J.,  .  .  . 
Brigantine,  N.  J.,  .  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  . 

256.    Totanus  solitarius  (WiLS.). 

Solitary  Sandpiper. 

DESCRIPTION.     {Plate  10.) 

Bill  rather  longer  than  the  head,  straight,  slender,  compressed;  both  mandibles 
with  narrow  grooves;  wing  long,  pointed;  tail  medium  or  rather  short,  rounded; 
legs  rather  long,  slender;  lower  half  of  the  tibia  naked  ;  toes  long,  the  outer  united 
to  the  middle  by  a  small  membrane,  flattened  underneath,  marginated  ;  upper  parts 
greenish-brown,  with  numerous  small  circular  and  irregular  spots  of  ashy-white; 
upper  tail  coverts  darker;  under  parts  white;  breast  and  neck  before  with  numer- 
ous longitudinal  lines  of  greenish-brown  ;  sides,  axillaries,  and  under  wing •  coverts 
white,  with  numerous  transverse  narrow  bands  of  dark  greenish-brown  ;  under  tail 
coverts  white,  with  a  few  transverse  bands  of  dark-brown  ;  quills  brownish-black, 
with  a  slight  bronzed  or  reddish  lustre  on  the  primaries ;  two  middle  feathers  of  the 
tail  greenish-brown  ;  other  feathers  of  the  tail  pure-white,  with  about  five  transverse 
bands  of  brownish-black;  bill  and  legs  dark  greenish-brown  ;  iris  brown. 

Total  length,  about  8  to  8§  inches;  wing,  5 ;  tail,  2£  ;  bill,  1|  ;  tarsus,  1|  inches. 

Iln,!). — North  America,  breeding  occasional!}7  in  the  northern  United  States,  more 
commonly  northward,  and  migrating  southward  as  far  as  Brazil  and  Peru. 

The  Solitary  Sandpiper,  unlike  other  of  the  Sandpipers  occuring 
in  this  region,  appears  to  have  a  special  fondness  for  stagnant  pools 
in  and  about  the  woods.  During  its  spring  and  fall  passage  through 
Pennsylvania  it  is  common,  frequenting  at  all  times  muddy  borders 
of  ponds,  pools  and  sloughs.  This  species  seldom  arrives  in  this  State 
before  April  25.  About  the  first  week  in  May  you  find  them  singly, 
in  pairs,  and  occasionally  in  flocks,  numbering  sometimes  as  many  as 
eight  or  even  twelve  individuals.  After  the  20th  of  May  you  rarely 
see  a  Solitary  Sandpiper  until  the  last  week  in  September.  In  Wil- 
son's Ornithology,  the  following  mention  is  made  of  the  species:  ic  I 
have  made  many  long  and  close  searches  for  the  nest  of  this  bird 
without  success.  They  regularly  breed  on  Pocono  mountain,  between 
Easton  and  Wilkes-Barre,  in  Pennsylvania,  arriving  there  early  in  May 
and  departing  in  September."  In  Cumberland  county  the  Messrs. 
Baird  record  it  as  a  native  species.  Wilson  also  says  that  these  birds 
inhabit  the  watery  solitudes  of  our  highest  mountains  during  the 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


39 


summer  from  Kentucky  to  New  York,  but  are  nowhere  numerous, 
seldom  more  than  one,  or  two  being  seen  together.  Dr.  Coues  has 
found  "  young  birds  in  July  in  northern  Dakota,  about  the  pools  of 
Turtle  mountain."  The  same  writer  also  states  that  "  in  Maryland 
and  Virginia,  and  in  nearly  correspondent  latitudes  in  the  west,  I  have 
shot  birds  in  August  so  young  as  to  leave  no  doubt  in  my  mind  that 
they  were  bred  in  the  vicinity."  Nuttall  says :  u A  pair,  but  oftener 
a  single  individual,  have  frequented,  very  familiarly,  the  small  fish- 
pond in  the  Botanic  Garden  in  Cambridge.  Attracted  by  the  numer- 
ous Donatias  and  their  larvae,  which  feed  upon  the  water-lily  (Nym- 
p h< I'd  odorata),  I  observed  one  of  them  tripping  along  upon  the  sink- 
ing leaves  with  great  agility,  expanding  its  wings  and  gently  flitting 
over  the  treacherous  element  in  the  manner  of  the  Rail.  At  another 
time,  probably  the  same  individual  (who  at  first  was  accompanied  by 
a  mate)  was  seen  day  after  day  collecting  insects,  and  contentedly 
resting  in  the  interval  on  the  border  of  the  pond.  The  water  having 
been  recently  let  off,  the  lily  leaves  and  insects  were  covered  with 
mud.  As  soon  as  our  little  familiar  and  cleanly  visitor  had  swallowed 
a  few  of  these  insects,  he  washed  them  down  with  a  drink  of  water, 
and  at  the  same  time  took  the  precaution  to  cleanse  his  bill  and  throat. 
Indeed,  it  is  remarkable  that  however  dirty  the  employment  of  these 
shore  birds  may  be,  so  neat  are  they  in  all  their  habits  that  not  a  stain 
or  a  soil  is  allowed  for  a  moment  to  remain  upon  their  limbs  or  plu- 
mage. *  *  According  to  the  observations  of  Mr.  Ives  (of  Salem), 
the  Solitary  Sandpiper  swims  and  dives  with  great  facility,  when  dis- 
abled from  flying  by  a  wound;  it  even  proceeds  under  the  water,  like 
the  Divers  or  Grebes,  and  is  only  overtaken  by  a  close  pursuit." 

According  to  Audubon,  the  Solitary  Sandpiper  is  expert  in  catching 
insects  on  the  wing,  "  especially  the  smaller  kinds  of  dragon-flies, 
which  it  chases  from  the  sticks  on  which  they  alight,  and  generally 
seizes  before  they  have  flown  across  the  little  ponds  which  are  the 
favorite  places  of  resort  of  this  species.  I  have  found  their  stomachs 
filled  with  aquatic  insects,  caterpillars  of  various  kinds,  and  black 
spiders  of  considerable  size." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

F.H>I>-MATKKIAI,S. 

1 

Mav      5,  1880,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Small  shells. 

2 

Mav      6,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Vegetable  matter. 

3 

Mav      9,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  "worms." 

4 

May      7,  J- 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

"Worms'1  and  beetles. 

5 

Mav      7,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

'•Worms"1  and  beetles. 

(3 

Sept.  21,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles. 

i 

Oct.       5,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

ki  Worms." 

8 

Oct.     20,  1883, 

Schuylkill  county,  Pa,, 

Insects. 

9 

Mav    11,  1884,    . 

Chester  county.  Pa..  .    . 

Beetles  and  earth-worm. 

10 

Mav    11,  1884,    . 

Chester  county.  Pa.. 

Dipterous  insects. 

11 

Mav    11,  1884,    . 

Chester  county.  Pa..  .    . 

Small  worms. 

40 


BIRDS  or  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS    BARTRAMIA.     LESSON. 
261.    Bartramia  longicauda  (BECHST.). 

Bartramian  Sandpiper. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  the  head,  rathef  wide  and  flattened  at  base,  curved  at  the  tip  : 
nostril  with  a  large  membrane;  nasal  groove  long;  wing  long;  tail  long  for  this 
group;  legs  moderate  or  rather  long;  lower  half  of  the  tibia  naked  ;  toes  moderate, 
the  outer  and  middle  toe  united  by  a  membrane,  inner  and  middle  free  to  the  base, 
hind  toe  small ;  general  color  of  the  upper  parts  brownish-black,  with  a  greenish 
lustre,  and  with  the  feathers  edged  with  ashy-white  and  yellowish,  the  latter  (.-spr- 
cially  on  the  wing  cove/ts ;  lower  part  of  the  back,  rump,  and  upper  tail  coverts, 
brownish-black ;  lateral  coverts  of  the  tail  yellowish-white,  with  arrow-heads  and 
irregular  spots  of  black  ;  wide  stripe  over  the  eye,  and  entire  under  parts  very  pale 
yellowish-white,  nearly  pure-white  on  the  abdomen ;  neck  before  with  numerous 
longitudinal  lines  of  brownish-black;  breast  and  sides  with  waved  and  pointed 
transverse  narrow  band  of  the  same ;  axillary  feathers  and  under  wing  coverts  pure- 
white,  with  numerous  nearly  regular  transverse  narrow  bands  of  black  ;  quills 
brownish-black,  with  numerous  transverse  bands  of  white  on  their  inner  webs,  very 
conspicuous  on  the  under  surface  of  the  wing ;  shaft  of  first  primary  white  ;  middle 
feathers  of  the  tail  same  greenish-brown  as  the  back,  with  irregular  and  imperfect 
transverse  bands  of  black;  outer  feathers  pale  reddish-yellow,  edged  and  tipped 
with  white,  and  with  several  irregular  transverse  bands  and  a  large  sub-terminal 
arrow-head  of  black  ;  bill  greenish-yellow,  with  the  under  mandible  more  clear  yel- 
low towards  its  base,  tip  and  ridge  brownish-black  ;  legs  light-yellow  ;  toes  darker  ; 
iris  brown. 

Total  length,  about  12  inches ;  wing,  6|  ;  tail,  3|  inches. 

Hab. — Eastern  North  America,  north  to  Nova  Scotia  and  Alaska,  breeding  through- 
out its  North  American  range  ;  migrating  in  winter  southward,  as  far  even  as  south- 
ern South  America.  Occasional  in  Europe. 

This  bird,  known  to  sportsmen  as  Field  or  Grass  Plover,  is  a  com- 
mon native  in  Pennsylvania.  It  arrives  here  usually  about  April  20. 
This  species  resides  during  the  breeding  period  in  grass-fields  and 
highlands.  In  this  particular  it  differs  from  other  birds  of  its  family. 
Nests  on  the  ground ;  eggs,  three  to  four  and  spotted.  In  August, 
when  the  young  are  amply  able  to  fly,  the  Plovers  collect  in  flocks 
and  frequent  the  fields  and  meadows.  By  the  last  of  September,  but 
few  of  the  species  are  found  in  the  interior,  as  they  appear  to  soon 
leave  the  breeding-grounds  and  migrate  towards  the  sea-coast  and 
large  tide  rivers. 

FOOD. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIA  r,s. 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 

m 

July  —  ,  1879,  . 
July  —  ,  1879,  . 
July  -,  1879,  . 
June  6,  1880,  . 
June  6,  1880,  . 
Sept.  15,  1880,  . 
Sept  15,  1880, 

Willistown,  Pa.,  .    .    . 
Willistown,  Pa.,  .    .    . 
Willistown,  Pa.,  .    .    . 
Honey  brook,  Pa.,   .    . 
Honey  brook,  Pa.,  .    . 
Phila.  Market,  Fa.  ,    . 
Phila.  Market,  Pa.,    .    . 

Beetles,* 
Various  insects.* 
Grasshoppers.* 
Beetles. 
Beetles. 
Small  "worms." 
Beetles. 

Young1  birds. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


41 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIAL-. 

8 
9 
10 
11 

12 
13 
14 

Aug.   20,  1883,    . 
Aug.  20,  1883,    . 
Aug.   20,  1883,    . 
Aug.  20,  1883,    . 

Aug.    14,  1884,    . 
Aug.    14,  1884,    . 
Aug.    14,  1884,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county.  Pa..  .    . 

Grasshoppers  ami  small  seeds. 
Grasshoppers. 
Grasshoppers. 
<  Grasshoppers  and  fragments  of  bee- 
tles. 
Grasshoppers. 
Dipterous  insects. 
Small  seeds  and  grasshoppers. 

GENUS   ACTITIS.     ILLIGER. 
263.    Actitis  macularia  (LiNN.). 

Spotted  Sandpiper. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Small ;  bill  rather  longer  than  the  head,  straight,  slender ;  long  grooves  in  both  • 
mandibles ;  wing  rather  long,  pointed ;  tail  medium,  rounded ;  legs  rather  long ; 
lower  third  of  the  tibia  naked ;  toes  long,  margined,  and  flattened  underneath ; 
outer  connected  with  the  middle  toe  by  a  large  membrane ;  inner  very  slightly 
connected  to  the  middle  toe;  upper  parts  brownish  olive-green,  with  a  somewhat 
metallic  or  bronzed  lustre,  and  with  numerous  longitudinal  lines,  and  sagittate, 
lanceolate,  and  irregular  spots  of  brownish-black,  having  the  same  lustre;  line  over 
the  eye,  and  entire  under  parts  white,  with  numerous  circular  and  oval  spots  ot 
brownish-black,  smaller  on  the  throat,  largest  on  th3  abdomen;  quills  brown,  with 
a  green  lustre ;  primaries  slightly  tipped  with  white,  and  having  a  white  spot  on 
their  inner  edges ;  secondaries  white  at  their  bases,  and  tipped  with  white  ;  middle 
feathers  of  the  tail  same  green  as  other  upper  parts ;  outer  tipped  with  w^hite,  and 
with  irregular  bars  of  brownish-black ;  bill  flesh-color,  tipped  with  brown ;  feet 
reddish-yellow ;  iris  brown. 

Young  less  bronzed  above,  and  under  parts  white,  without  spots. 

Total  length,  7k  to  8  inches ;  wing,  4|  ;  tail,  2 ;  bill,  1 ;  tarsus,  rather  less  than  1 
inch. 

Hab.—  North  and  South  America,  south  to  Brazil.  Breeds  throughout  temperate 
North  America.  Occasional  in  Europe. 

The  Tilt-up,  as  this  Sandpiper  is  universally  known  in  this  section, 
arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  middle  of  April,  sometimes  even 
earlier.  It  is  common  and  indigenous.  The  nest  is  placed  on  the 
ground  in  a  grass  field,  sometimes  in  a  grain-field,  or  on  the  sandy 
bank  near  streams  and  ponds,  along  which  these  birds  are  commonly 
found  industriously  seeking  their  hidden  prey.  Wilson  very  properly 
says :  ifc  This  species  is  as  remarkable  for  perpetually  wagging  the  tail 
as  some  others  are  for  nodding  the  head;  for,  whether  running  on  the 
ground,  or  on  fences,  along  the  rails,  or  in  the  water,  this  motion  seems 
continual;  even  the  young,  soon  after  they  are  freed  from  the  shell. 
run  about  constantly  wagging  the  tail."  When  you  approach  the 
eggs  or  young  the  old  birds  manifest  great  concern.  They  flutter 
along  the  ground  as  if  injured,  and  should  you  follow  and  attempt  to 
catch  them  they  will  lead  you  to  a  considerable  distance  from  their 
treasures  before  flying  off.  Wilson  mentions  the  following  instance, 
which  shows  the  great  solicitude  which  the  female  has  for  her  young: 


42 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


"  My  venerable  friend,  Mr.  William  Barton,  informs  me  that  he  saw 
one  of  these  birds  defend  her  young  for  a  considerable  time  from  the 
repeated  attacks  of  a  ground-squirrel.  The  scene  of  action  was  on 
the  river  shore.  The  parent  had  thrown  herself,  with  her  two  young 
behind  her,  between  them  and  the  land,  and  at  every  attempt  of  the 
squirrel  to  seize  them  by  a  circuitous  sweep,  raised  both  her  wings  in 
an  almost  perpendicular  position,  assuming  the  most  formidable  ap- 
pearance she  was  capable  of,  and  rushed  forwards  on  the  squirrel, 
who,  intimidated  by  her  boldness  and  manner,  instantly  retreated ; 
but  presently  returning,  was  met,  as  before,  in  front  and  on  flank  by 
the  daring  and  affectionate  bird,  who,  with  her  wings  and  whole  plu- 
mage bristling  up,  seemed  swelled  to  twice  her  usual  size.  The  young 
crowded  together  behind  her,  apparently  sensible  of  their  perilous 
situation,  moving  backwards  and  forwards  as  she  advanced  or  re- 
treated. This  interesting  scene  lasted  for  at  least  ten  minutes;  the 
strength  of  the  poor  parent  began  evidently  to  flag,  and  the  attacks 
of  the  squirrel  became  more  daring  and  frequent,  when  my  good 
friend,  like  one  of  those  celestial  agents  who,  in  Homer's  time,  so 
often  decided  the  palm  of  victory,  stepped  forward  from  his  retreat, 
drove  the  assailant  back  to  his  hole,  and  rescued  the  innocent  from 
destruction."  To  escape  capture  when  wounded  the  Tilt-up  will  re- 
sort to  many  devices.  One  day  when  out  shooting  along  Beaver 
creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Brandywine,  about  two  miles  from  West 
Chester,  I  crippled  one  of  these  birds ;  it  fell  to  the  ground  and  ran 
rapidly  to  the  edge  of  the  stream,  which  at  this  point  was  probably 
ten  feet  wide.  The  water  was  about  a  foot  deep,  perfectly  clear,  and, 
except  on  one  side  for  about  eighteen  inches,  was  dammed  back  and 
remained  quite  motionless.  I  approached  the  .bird,  when,  to  my  great 
sui  prise,  it  plunged  into  the  water  and  went  down  to  the  sandy 
bottom  like  a  stone.  It  ran  on  the  bottom  seemingly  without  any 
difficulty,  and  even  through  the  swiftly  running  water  along  the  edge, 
came  up  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  stream  and  thrust  its  head  into 
some  long  grass,  but  kept  its  body  submerg6d.  The  bird  repeated  this 
performance  three  times  before  I  secured  it.  The  Tilt- up  is  not  gre- 
garious. 

FOOD. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

June  —  ,  1879,     . 

Barnegat,  N.  J.,  .    .    . 

Dipterous  insects. 

2 
3 

July  12,  1879,    . 
May     4,  1880,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Coleoptera  and  grasshoppers. 
Diterous  insects. 

4 

May     6,  1880,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles. 

5 

May   10,  1S80,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  "worms"  and  beetles. 

6 

Aug.  14,  1882,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  worms. 

7 

Sept.    3,  1882,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Worms. 

BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  43 

FAMILY   CHARADRIIDJE.     PLOVERS. 
GENUS   CHARADRIUS.     LINN^US. 
270.    Charadrius  squatarola  (LINN.). 

Black-bellied  Plover. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  and  legs  strong;  wings  long;  a  very  small  rudimentary  hind  toe;  around  the 
bust  of  the  bill  to  the  eyes,  neck  before  and  under  parts  of  body,  black;  upper 
white,  nearly  pure  and  unspotted  on  the  forehead;  sides  of  the  neck  and  rump 
tinged  with  ashy,  and  having  irregular  transverse  bars  of  brownish-black  on  the 
back,  scapulars,  and  wing  coverts ;  the  brownish-black  frequently  predominating 
on  those  parts,  and  the  rump  also  frequently  with  transverse  bars  of  the  same ;  lower 
part  of  the  abdomen,  tibia,  and  under  tail  coverts,  white  ;  quills  brownish-black, 
lighter  on  their  inner  webs,  with  a  middle  portion  of  their  shafts  white  and  a  nar- 
row longitudinal  stripe  of  white  frequently  on  the  shorter  primaries  and  seconda- 
ries ;  tail  white,  with  transverse  imperfect  narrow  bands  of  black ;  bill  and  legs 
black ;  the  black  color  of  the  under  parts  generally  with  a  bronzed  or  coppery  lustre, 
and  presenting  a  scale-like  appearance  ;  the  brownish-black  of  the  upper  parts  with 
a  greenish  lustre  ;  iris  black. 

Yv  tint /(>/-  and  winter  plumage. — Entire  upper  parts  dark-brown,  with  circular  and 
irregular  small  spots  of  white,  and  frequently  of  yellow,  most  numerous  on  the 
wing  coverts ;  upper  tail  coverts  white  ;  under  parts  white,  with  short  longitudinal 
lines  and  spots  dark  brownish-cinereous  on  the  neck  and  breast ;  quills  brownish- 
black,  with  large  longitudinal  spots  of  white  on  their  inner  webs,  and  also  on  the 
outer  webs  of  the  shorter  primaries. 

Yonnrj. — Upper  parts  lighter,  and  with  the  white  spots  more  irregular  or  scarcely 
assuming  a  circular  shape  ;  narrow  lines  on  the  neck  and  breast  more  numerous. 

Total  length,  about  11|  ;  wings,  7k  ;  tail,  3  inches. 

Hab. — Nearly  cosmopolitan,  but  chiefly  in  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding 
far  northward,  and  migrating  south  in  winter;  in  America  to  the  West  Indies, 
Brazil  and  New  Grenada. 

This  bird,  according  to  my  observation,  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  only 
as  a  rare  migrant :  when  found  is  mostly  seen  in  autumn.  In  former 
years,  it  seems  that  these  birds  were  found  as  natives.  If  this  species 
now  breeds  in  Pennsylvania  it  certainly  is  confined  to  the  mountain- 
ous regions.  Audubon,  speaking  of  its  breeding,  says:  "Individuals 
of  this  species  spend  the  summer  months  in  the  mountainous  parts  of 
Maryland,  Pennsylvania  and  Connecticut,  where  they  breed.  I  have 
found  their  nests  near  the  waters  of  the  Delaware  and  the  Perkio- 
miug  creek  *  *  in  the  same  localities  as  those  of  the  Field  Plover 
(B.  longicauda) ,  as  well  as  in  plowed  fields.  The  nest  is  merely  a 
slight  hollow  with  a  few  blades  of  grass.  The  eggs  are  four,  an  inch 
and  seven  and  a  half  eighths  in  length,  an  inch  and  three-eighths  in 
their  greatest  breadth ;  their  ground-color  yellowish-white,  tinged  with 
olivaceous,  and  pretty  generally  covered  with  blotches  and  dots  of 
light-brown  and  pale-purple,  the  markings  being  more  abundant  to- 
ward the  small  end." 

Wilson,  writing  of  the  species  in  this  Commonwealth,  says:    "This 


44      -  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

bird  is  known  in  some  parts  of  the  country  by  the  name  of  the  Large 
Whistling  Field  Plover.  It  generally  makes  its  first  appearance  in 
Pennsylvania  late  in  April ;  frequents  the  countries  towards  the  moun- 
tains ;  seems  particularly  attached  to  newly  plowed  fields,  where  it 
forms  its  nest  of  a  few  slight  materials,  as  slightly  put  together.  The 
female  lays  four  eggs,  large  for  the  size  of  the  bird,  of  a  light- olive 
color,  dashed  with  black,  and  has  frequently  two  broods  in  the  same 
season.  It  is  an  extremely  shy  and  watchful  bird,  though  clamorous 
during  breeding-time." 

Dr.  Ezra  Michener,  in  his  catalogue  (1863),  mentions  the  Black- 
bellied  Plover  as  a  c;  rare  summer  resident "  in  Chester  county. 

"  During  winter,  or  as  long  as  they  frequent  the  seashore,  they  feed 
on  marine  insects,  worms  and  small  shell-fish,  and  when  they  are  in 
the  interior,  on  grasshoppers  and  other  insects,  as  well  as  berries  of 
various  kinds." — Audubon. 


272.    Charadrius  dominions .     MULL. 

American  Golden  Plover. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  rather  short ;  legs  moderate  ;  wings  long ;  no  hind  toe ;  tarsus  covered  before 
and  behind  with  small  circular  or  hexagonal  scales ;  upper  parts  brownish-black, 
with  numerous  small  circular  and  irregular  spots  of  golden-yellow,  most  numerous 
on  the  back  and  rump,  and  on  the  upper  tail  coverts,  assuming  the  form  of  trans- 
verse bands  generally ;  also  with  some  spots  of  ashy-white ;  entire  under  parts 
black,  with  a  brownish  or  bronzed  lustre,  under  tail  coverts  mixed  or  barred  with 
white  ;  forehead,  border  of  the  black  of  the  neck,  under  tail  coverts,  and  tibiae, 
white ;  axillary  feathers  cinereous  ;  quills,  dark-brown  ;  middle  portion  of  the  shafts 
white,  frequently  extending  slightly  to  the  webs,  and  forming  longitudinal  stripes 
on  the  shorter  quills ;  tail  dark-brown,  with  numerous  irregular  bands  of  ashy- 
white,  and  frequently  tinged  with  golden-yellow ;  bill  black ;  legs  dark  bluish- 
brown  ;  iris  dark-brown. 

Younger. — Under  parts  dull-ashy,  spotted  with  brownish  on  the  neck  and  breast, 
frequently  more  or  less  mixed  with  black ;  many  spots  of  the  lipper  parts  dull  ashy- 
white  ;  other  spots,  especially  on  the  rump,  golden-yellow. 

Total  length,  about  9§  inches  ;  wing,  7  ;  tail,  2|  inches. 

Hab.— Arctic  America,  migrating  southward  through  North  and  South  America 
to  Patagonia. 

I  have  never  seen  the  Golden  Plover  in  this  State  during  the  spring 
migrations,  and  as  an  autumnal  visitant  it  is  uncertain.  For  several 
consecutive  seasons  none  will  be  observed  in  certain  districts;  the 
following  season,  however,  the  birds  will  be  found  abundantly  in  these 
same  districts.  The  largest  flight  of  Golden  Plovers  that  I  ever  saw 
in  this  section  (Chester  county)  was  in  the  fall  of  1880,  when  flocks 
of  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  were  quite  plentiful  about  the  plowed 
grounds  and  grass-fields  in  the  neighborhood  of  West  Chester.  Mr. 
Francis  Jacobs,  of  West  Chester,  informs  me  that  about  the  year  1860 


\ 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  45 

Bull-head*  Plovers  were  abundant  in  the  Great  Valley  and  in  the 
vicinity  of  West  Chester,  where,  in  September,  they  came  in  flocks 
of  hundreds  and  literally  covered  the  fields  where  wheat  had  been 
sown.  In  those  days  the  wheat  was  sown,  as  but  few  farmers  had 
drills.  Mr.  J.  states  that  he  has  often  killed  fiiteen  or  twenty  at  one 
shot,  and,  in  company  with  his  brother,  has  shot  two  hundred  or 
more  in  one  day.  These  birds  would  remain  about  two  weeks,  or 
until  the  wheat  had  sprouted.  They  subsisted  almost  exclusively  on 
wheat.  My  informant  states  that  prior  to  1860,  for  at  least  fifteen 
years,  these  birds  annually,  in  the  fall,  made  these  visits,  and  that  he 
had  always  been  told,  when  a  boy,  that  "  Bull-heads"  were  abundant 
every  year. 

FOOD. 

Audubon  furnishes  the  following  information  of  this  species  :  u  While 
searching  for  food  on  the  sand  or  mud  bars  of  the  seashore  they  move 
in  a  direct  manner,  often  look  sideways  toward  the  ground,  and  pick 
up  the  object  of  their  search  by  a  peculiar  bending  movement  of  the 
body.  They  are  frequently  observed  to  pat  the  moist  earth  with  their 
feet  to  force  worms  from  their  burrows.  In  autumn  they  betake 
themselves  to  the  higher  grounds,  where  berries  as  well  as  insects  are 
to  be  met  with,  and  where  they  find  abundance  of  grasshoppers." 


No. 

1 
.> 

3 

4 
5 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATKRIALS. 

Sept.  —  ,  1880,    .    . 
Sept.  —  .  1880,    .    . 
Sept.  —  ,  1880,    .    . 
Sept.  —  ,  1880,    .    . 
Oct.        3,  1880,    .    . 

West  Goshen,  Pa.,  .    .    . 
West  Goshen,  Pa.,  .    .    . 
West  Goshen,  Pa.,  .    .    . 
West  Goshen,  Pa.,  .    .    . 
Birmingham,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Beetles  and  few  seeds. 
Grasshoppers. 
Grasshoppers. 
Beetles  and  grasshoppers. 
Grasshoppers  and  worms. 

GENUS   ^GIALJTIS.     BOIE. 
273.    .ffigialitis  vocifera  (Lixx.  i. 

Killdeer. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate.  11.) 

Wings  long,  reaching  to  the  end  of  the  tail,  which  is  also  rather  long  ;  head  above 
and  upper  parts  of  body  light-brown  with  a  greenish  tinge  ;  rump  and  upper  tail 
coverts  rufous,  lighter  on  the  latter  ;  front  and  lines  over  and  under  the  eye  white  ; 
another  band  of  black  in  front  above  the  white  band ;  stripe  from  the  base  of  the 
bill  towards  the  occiput,  brownish-black;  ring  encircling  the  neck  and  wide  band 
on  the  breast,  black  ;  throat  white,  which  color  extends  upwards  around  the  neck; 
other  under  parts  white  ;  quills  brownish-black  with  about  half  of  their  inner  webs 
white,  shorter  primaries,  with  a  large  spot  of  white  on  their  outer  webs,  secondaries 
widely  tipped  or  edged  with  white  ;  tail  feathers  pale-rufous  at  base  :  the  four  mid- 
dle light  olive-brown  tipped  with  white,  and  with  a  wide  subterminal  band  of  black ; 
lateral  feathers  widely  tipped  with  white  ;  entire  upper  plumage  frequently  edged 
and  tipped  with  rufous  ;  very  young  have  upper  parts  light-gray,  with  a  longitudinal 
band  on  the  head  and  back  black  ;  under  parts  white  ;  iris,  dark  brown. 

*  The  name  Bull-liead  is  given  to  both  the  Golden  and  Black-hellied  Plovers.  I  suppose  the  birds 
mentioned  by  my  friend  Mr.  Jacobs  to  have  been  Golden  Plovers  (Charadriu**  dominicu*  . 


46 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Total  length,  about  9£  inches ;  wing,  6£  ;  tail,  3^  inches. 

Hab. — Temperate  North  America,  migrating  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and 
central  and  northern  South  America. 

Reader  I  am  sure  you  can  always  distinguish  this  bird  by  the  well- 
known  cry  which  gives  rise  to  its  common  name.  Should  you,  how- 
ever, have  the  lifeless  body  of  one  of  these  birds,  you  can  without 
any  difficulty  distinguish  it  from  other  of  its  numerous  relatives  by 
the  red  eye-lids  and  long  legs.  In  addition  you  will  also  see  a  white 
line,  with  black  margin,  extending  over  the  bill,  between  the  eyes. 
The  white  feathers  of  the  throat  are  continuous,  with  a  conspicuous 
and  immaculate  collar,  below  which  is  a  ring  of  black,  separated  by 
a  streak  of  white  from  a  band  of  black  across  the  breast. 

During  the  spring,  summer  and. autumn  the  Killdeer  is  common, 
and  in  winter  is  quite  frequently  observed.  The  spotted  pyriform 
eggs,  usually  four  in  number,  are  placed  in  a  slight  hollow  in  the 
ground,  oftentimes  near  a  hill  of  corn. 

FOOD. 

"  The  food  of  this  species  consists  of  earth-worms,  grasshoppers, 
crickets  and  coleopterous  insects,  as  well  as  small  Crustacea,  whether 
of  salt  or  fresh  water,  and  snails.  Now  and  then  they  may  be  seen 
thrusting  their  bills  into  the  mud  in  search  of  some  other  food.  Dur- 
ing autumn  they  run  about  the  old  fields  and  catch  an  insect  which 
the  Blue- bird  has  been  watching  with  anxious  care  from  the  top  of  a 
withering  mullein  stalk.  They  run  briskly  after  the  plowman,  to 
pick  up  the  worms  that  have  been  turned  out  of  their  burrows.  Now 
standing  on  the  grassy  meadow,  after  a  shower,  you  see  them  patting 
the  moist  ground,  to  force  out  its  inhabitants.  During  winter,  you 
meet  with  them  on  elevated  ground,  or  along  the  margins  of  the 
rivers ;  but  wherever  you  observe  one  about  to  pick  up  its  food,  you 
clearly  see  its  body  moving  in  a  see-saw  manner  on  the  joints  of  the 
legs,  until  the  former  being  so  placed  that  the  bill  can  reach  the 
ground,  the  object  is  seized,  and  the  usual  horizontal  position  is  TQ- 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERI  A  i,s. 

1 

April  10,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Snails  and  beetles. 

2 

April  30,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Earth-worms. 

3 

June  18,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles. 

4 
5 

Nov.   14,  1879, 
May    15,  1880, 

Lancaster  county,  Pa., 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Fragments  of  fresh  water  shells. 
Earth-worms. 

6 

May    15,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Earth-worms  and  larva1. 

7 

Aug.  21,  1880,    .    . 

Delaware  county,  Pa., 

Grasshoppers  and  small  seeds. 

8 

Dec.    13,  1881,    .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Grasshoppers. 

9 

July   31,  1883,    .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  larvae. 

10 

Julv   31,  1883,    .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles. 

11 

Sept.  20,  1884,    .    . 

Cli  ester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Grasshoppers  and  seeds. 

BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  47 

ORDER  GALLING.  GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 

SUBORDER    PHASIANI.    PHEASANTS,  QUAIL,  ETC 

FAMILY   TETRAONID-ffl.    GROUSE,  ETC 

sruFAMiLY  PERDICIN^.   PARTRIDGES. 

GENUS   COLINUS.     LESSON. 
289.    Colinus  virginianus  (LiNN.). 

Bob-white. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  12.) 

Forehead,  and  line  through  the  eye  and  along  the  side  of  the  neck,  with  chin  and 
throat,  white  ;  a  band  of  black  across  the  vertex,  and  extending  backwards  on  the 
sides,  within  the  white,  and  another  from  the  maxilla  beneath  the  eye,  and  crossing 
on  the  lower  part  of  the  throat ;  the  under  parts  are  white,  tinged  with  brown  an- 
teriorly, each  feather  with  several  narrow,  obtusely  V-shaped  bands  of  black  ;  the 
forepart  of  back,  the  side  of  the  breast  and  in  front  just  below  the  black  collar,  of  a 
dull  pinkish-red  ;  the  sides  of  body  and  wing  coverts  brownish-red  ;  the  latter  al- 
most uniform,  without  indications  of  mottling;  scapulars  and  upper  tertials  coarsely 
blotched  with  black,  and  edged  internally  with  brownish-yellow ;  top  of  head  red- 
dish; the  lower  part  of  neck,  except  anteriorly,  streaked  with  white  and  black  ; 
primary  quills,  unspotted  brown;  tail,  ash:  iris,  brown. 

Female  with  the  white  markings  of  the  head  and  throat  replaced  by  brownish- 
yellow  ;  the  black  wanting. 

Length,  about  10  inches;  extent,  about  15;  wing,  about  4.70:  tail,  2.75  inches. 
This  species  is  subject  to  considerable  variation,  both  in  size  and  color. 

Il'ifi. — Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada  from  southern  Maine  to  the 
South  Atlantic  and  (4-ulf  States  ;  west  to  Dakota,  eastern  Kansas  and  eastern  Texas. 

This  species  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  at  all  seasons,  yet  I  am  fully 
convinced  that  the  great  majority  of  those  that  breed  here  migrate  in 
the  autumn  southward.  During  the  fall  and  particularly  in  the  month 
of  October,  I  have  observed  flocks,  consisting  of  several  families  and 
numbering  from  sixty  to  a  hundred  or  more  individuals  engaged  in 
such  migrations.  Partridges  at  all  seasons  other  than  when  breeding 
are  gregarious.  When  not  migrating  we  find  them,  in  tlocks  of  twelve 
to  fifteen  each,  frequenting  fields  and  swamps  usually  near  the  bor- 
ders of  woods  or  thickets,  to  which  they  speedily  repair  when  dis- 
turbed. Early  in  April  these  birds  pair  and  about  the  first  of  May 
commence  nesting.  The  nest  is  always  placed  on  the  ground,  gener- 
ally in  a  slight  hollow,  and  is  constructed  chiefly  of  small  twigs  and 
grass.  The  nest  is  usually  placed  in  a  grass  field,  concealed  by  a 
high  tuft  of  grass  or  protected  by  a  thick  overhanging  bush.  The 
eggs  are  white,  pear-shaped,  and  although  variable,  generally  num- 
ber about  fifteen.  The  birds  are  mainly  terrestrial  in  habits.  In  the 
autumn  and  winter  when  continually  pursued  by  sportmen  and  doirs. 
they  oftentimes  when  flushed  seek  refuge  in  trees ;  they  usually  alight 


48 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


on  a  large  limb  close  to  the  main  trunk  and  crouch  so  close  that  not 
unfrequently  they  escape  the  notice  of  the  eager  hunter.  A  gentle- 
man of  my  acquaintance  some  years  ago  while  out  hunting  Pheasants 
noticed  a  slight  movement  among  some  dead  leaves  in  the  top  of  an 
oak  tree,  he  raised  his  gun  quickly  and  fired  into  the  leaves  when  to 
his^astonishment  down  came  fourteen  Partridges  dead  and  wounded. 
Partridges  breed  readily  in  confinement,  and  occasionally,  though 
rarely,  become  quite  tame.  Wilson  says :  "  Two  young  Partridges 
that  were  brought  up  by  a  hen,  when  abandoned  by  her  associated 
with  the  cows,  which  they  regularly  followed  to  the  fields,  returned 
with  them  when  they  came  home  in  the  evening,  stood  by  them  while 
they  were  milked,  and  again  accompanied  them  to  the  pasture.  They 
remained  during  the  winter,  lodging  in  the  stable,  but  as  soon  as 
spring  came  they  disappeared." 

FOOD. 

The  food  of  this  species  consists  principally  of  cereals,  various  small 
seeds,  berries,  and  in  the  breeding  season  insects,  chiefly  beetles,  are 
taken  in  limited  numbers.  B.  M.  Everhart,  thewell-known  naturalist 
and  botanist,  informs  me  that  four  or  five  years  ago  he  examined  the 
stomach-contents  of  twenty  odd  partridges  which  his  brother  had  shot 
when  on  a  gunning  excursion  in  Delaware,  and  found  that  all  the 
birds  had  fed  exclusively  on  the  seeds  of  skunk-cabbage  (tiymplo- 
carpus  foeditus). 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 
3 

4 
5 
6 
'   7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 

July  21,  1879,    . 
July  21,  1879,    . 
Aug.  —  ,  1880,    . 

Aug.     3,  1880,    . 
Oct.     20,  1880,    . 
Oct.     20,  1880,    . 
Oct.     20,  1880,    . 
Oct.     20,  1880,    . 
Nov.   20,  1880,    . 
Nov.    20,  1880,    . 
Nov,   30,  1880,    . 
Dec.    —  ,  1882,    . 
Dec.    —  ,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
York  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
York  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Newark,  Del.,  .... 
Newark,  Del.,  .... 
Newark,  Del., 

Small  seeds. 
Wheat  and  berries. 
Small    seeds    and    remains 
beetles. 
Beetles. 
Corn  and  small  seeds. 
Corn  and  wheat. 
Corn  and  seeds. 
Wheat. 
Rag-weed  seeds  and  corn. 
Corn. 
Small  seeds. 
Corn. 
Green  vegetable  material. 

of 

14 

15 
16 

Dec.    —  ,  1882,    . 

May   20,  1884,    . 
May    20,  1884,    . 

Newark,  Del,,  

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Green    vegetable    material 
small  seeds. 
Small  seeds. 
Small  seeds  and  insects. 

and 

BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  49 


SUBFAMILY  TETRAONIN^E.     GROUSE. 

GENUS   BONASA.     STEPHENS. 
300.    Bonasa  umbellus  (LiNN.). 

Ruffed  Grouse ;  Pheasant. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Tail  of  eighteen  feathers,  reddish-brown  or  gray  above  ;  the  back  with  cordate 
spots  of  lighter ;  beneath  whitish,  transversely  barred  with  dull  brown  ;  tail  tipped 
with  gray,  and  with  a  subterminal  bar  of  black  ;  broad  feathers  of  the  ruff  black. 

Tail  lengthened,  nearly  as  long  as  the  wing ;  very  broad,  and  moderately  rounded ; 
the  leathers  very  broad  and  truncate,  the  tip  slightly  convex,  eighteen  in  number; 
upper  half  of  tarsus  only  feathered ;  bare  behind  and  below,  with  two  rows  of  hexa- 
gonal scutellse  anteriorly  ;  a  naked  space  on  the  side  of  the  neck,  concealed  by  an 
overhanging  tuft  of  broad,  truncate  feathers ;  there  are  no  pectinated  processes 
above  the  eye,  where  the  skin  instead  is  clothed  with  short  feathers;  iris,  brown. 

Length,  18  inches;  wing,  7.20;  tail,  7  inches. 

Hah. — Eastern  United  States,  south  to  North  Carolina,  Georgia,  Mississippi  and 
Arkansas. 

This  well-known  game  bird  is  quite  plentiful  in  various  sections  of 
Pennsylvania.  The  species  is  most  numerous  in  the  mountainous 
regions,  heavily- wooded  and  thinly-settled  districts.  Dr.  Coues  says: 
•;  The  '  drumming '  sound  for  which  this  bird  is  noted,  is  not  vocal,  as 
many  suppose,  but  is  produced  by  rapidly  beating  the  wings."  Dur- 
ing the  breeding  season  and  at  other  times,  if  not  continually  har- 
assed by  sportsmen,  the  Grouse  are  tame  and  unsuspicious.  The  nest 
is  made  on  the  ground,  and  consists  principally  of  leaves;  it  is  al- 
ways placed  in  the  interior  of  a  woods,  and  is  usually  concealed  by  a 
log  or  thick  bushes.  The  eggs  are  a  yellowish- white  color  and  num- 
ber about  fifteen.  I  once  found  a  nest  with  nine  eggs,  in  which  in- 
cubation was  well  advanced.  E.  A.  Samuels,  in  his  entertaining  work, 
u  OUT  Northern  and  Eastern  Birds"  says  :  u  From  several  instances 
which  have  come  to  my  knowledge,  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the 
female  Ruffed  Grouse,  if  persistently  molested  when  nesting  on  the 
ground,  avails  herself  of  the  abandoned  nest  of  a  crow,  or  the  shelter 
afforded  in  the  top  of  some  tall  broken  trunk  of  a  tree,  in  which  she 
deposits  her  eggs.  Two  of  my  collectors  in  Northern  Maine  have  sent 
me  eggs  which  they  positively  declared  were  found  in  a  crow's  nest  in 
a  high  pine,  but  which  are  undoubtedly  of  this  species ;  and  recently 
I  have  heard  of  another  occurrence  from  my  friend  L.  E.  Ricksecker, 
of  Pennsylvania.  The  only  satisfactory  theory  that  I  can  advance  to 
account  for  these  departures  from  the  usual  habits  of  the  Grouse,  is 
that  the  birds  had  been  much  disturbed,  their  eggs  or  young  perhaps 
destroyed ;  and  as  they  are  often  in  the  trees,  and  are  expert  climbers. 
{ hey  laid  their  eggs  in  these  lofty  situations  to  secure  protection  from 
t  heir  numerous  foes  below. 
\  BIRDS. 


50  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

FOOD. 

By  Nuttall  we  are  advised  that  their  food  consists  commonly  in  the 
spring  and  fall,  of  the  buds  of  trees,  the  catkins  of  the  hazel  and 
alder,  even  fern  buds,  acorns  and  seeds  of  various  kinds.  *  *  * 
At  times  I  have  seen  the  crop  almost  entirely  filled  with  the  buds  of 
the  apple  tree,  each  connected  with  a  portion  of  the  twig,  the  wood 
of  which  appears  to  remain  a  good  while  undigested ;  cinquefoil  and 
strawberry  leaves,  buds  of  the  Azaleas,  and  of  the  broad-leaved  Ka- 
lonia,  with  the  favorite  Partridge  berries,  ivy  berries  ( Cissus  heder- 
acea)  and  gravel  pebbles  are  also  some  of  the  many  articles  which 
form  the  winter  fare.  In  summer,  they  seem  often  to  prefer  berries 
of  various  kinds,  particularly  dewberries,  strawberries,  grapes  and 
whortleberries. 

Wilson  writes  :  "  They  are  exceedingly  fond  of  the  seeds  of  grapes; 
occasionally  eat  ants,  chestnuts,  blackberries  and  various  vegetables, 
f  It  has  been  confidently  asserted  that,  after  having  fed  for  some  time 
on  the  laurel  buds,  their  flesh  becomes  highly  dangerous  to  eat  of, 
partaking  of  the  poisonous  qualities  of  the  plant. 
Though  I  have  myself  ate  freely  of  the  flesh  of  the  Pheasant,  after 
emptying  it  of  large  quantities  of  laurel  buds,  without  experiencing 
any  bad  consequences,  yet,  from  the  respectability  of  those,  some  of 
them  eminent  physicians,  who  have  particularized  cases  in  which  it 
has  proved  deleterious,  and  even  fatal,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that, 
in  certain  cases,  where  this  kind  of  food  has  been  long  continued,  and 
the  birds  allowed  to  remain  undrawn  for  several  days,  until-  the  con- 
tents of  the  crop  and  stomach  have  had  time  to  diffuse  themselves 
through  the  flesh,  as  is  too  often  the  case,  it  may  be  unwholesome 
and  even  dangerous." 

My  knowledge  of  the  food-materials  of  the  Grouse  is  limited  to 
some  thirty  examinations  which  I  have  made,  during  the  months  of 
October,  November  and  December,  of  birds  which  have  been  killed 
in  Schuylkill,  Chester  and  Dauphin  counties,  Pennsylvania.  1  found 
the  greater  part  of  these  birds  had  fed  chiefly  on  Partridge-berries 
(Gaultheria  procumbena),  others  had  in  their  crops  and  gizzards 
chestnuts,  small  seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter.  Ten  of  this  lot 
were  shot  when  the  snow  was  deep  and  they  all  were  gorged  with 
buds  of  laurel. 


t  Prof.  John  H.  Brinton,  M.  D.,  of  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  informed 
me  that  he  had  known  of  several  cases  of  Glossitis  (inflammation  of  the  tongue)  to  have  been 
caused  by  eating  Pheasants  which  had  fed  on  laurel.—  Warren. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  51 

FAMILY   PHASIANIDJE.     TURKEYS,  ETC. 
SUBFAMILY  MELEAGRIN^l.     TURKEYS. 
GENUS  MELEAGRIS. 


310.    Meleagris  gallopavo.     LINN. 

» 

Wild  Turkey. 

Hnb.  —  United  States,  from  southern  Canada  to  the  Gulf  coast,  and  west  to  the 
plains,  along  the  timbered  river  valleys;  formerly  along  the  Atlantic  coast  to  southern 
Maine. 

This  noble  game  bird,  although  rapidly  becoming  extirpated,  is  still 
found  in  small  numbers  in  the  wooded,  thinly-populated  and  uncul- 
tivated districts  of  this  Commonwealth.  Nests  on  the  ground;  eggs 
very  similar  to  those  of  our  domestic  turkeys.  The  food  consists 
chiefly  of  cereals,  berries,  acorns,  chestnuts  and  other  vegetal  ma- 
terials. 


ORDER  COLUMBAE.   PIGEONS. 

FAMILY   COLUMBID-flS.     PIGEONS. 
GENUS    ECTOPISTES.     SWAINSON. 
315.    Ectopistes  migratorius  (LiNN.). 

Passenger  Pigeon;   Wild  Pigeon. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Tail  with  twelve  feathers ;  upper  parts  generally,  including  sides  of  body,  head 
and  neck,  and  the  chin,  blue,  beneath,  purple  brownish-red,  fading  behind  with  a 
violet  tint;  anal  region  and  under  tail  coverts,  white  ;  scapulars,  inner  tertials  and 
middle"  of  back,  with  an  olive-brown  tinge ;  the  wing  coverts,  scapulars  and  inner 
tertials,  with  large  oval  spots  of  blue-black  on  the  outer  webs,  mostly  concealed,  ex- 
cept on  the  latter  ;  primaries  blackish,  with  a  border  of  pale-bluish  tinged  internally 
with  red ;  middle  tail  feathers  brown ;  the  rest  pale-blue  on  the  outer  web,  white 
internally  ;  each  with  a  patch  of  reddish-brown  at  the  base  of  the  inner  web,  fol- 
lowed by  another  of  black  ;  sides  and  back  of  neck  richly  glossed  with  metallic 
golden-violet ;  tibia,  bluish-violet ;  bill,  black ;  feet,  purplish-red  ;  iris,  red. 

The  female  is  smaller ;  much  duller  in  color  ;  more  olivaceous  above  ;  beneath, 
pale-blue  instead  of  red,  except  a  tingeon  the  neck  ;  the  juguluni  tinged  with  olive ; 
the  throat  whitish. 

The  blue  of  the  side  of  the  head  extends  to  the  throat  and  chin ;  the  upper  part 
of  the  back  and  lesser  coverts  are  of  a  darker  blue  than  the  head  and  rump ;  the 
inner  primaries  are  more  broadly  margined  with  light-blue,  which  tapers  oft"  to  the 
end  ;  the  axillars  and  under  surfice  of  the  wing  are  light-blue;  the  longest  scapulars 
have  the  black  on  both  webs;  there  is  no  blue  on  the  outer  web  of  the  first  tail 
feather,  which  is  white,  and  the  inferior  surface  of  the  tail  generally  is  white. 

In  some  specimens  the  entire  head  all  round  is  blue. 


52  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Immature  birds  very  similar  to  i'emale  but  much  duller  in  color ;  the  wing-coverts 
and  scapular  feathers,  also  most  of  the  feathers  of  head  and  neck  being  margined 
with  whitish,  have  a  spotted  appearance. 

Length,  about  17  inches  ;  extent,  about  24;  wing,  8.50  ;  tail,  8.40  ;  tarsus,  1  inch. 

Hab. — Eastern  North  America,  from  Hudson's  Bay  southward,  and  west  to  the 
(Treat  Plains,  straggling  westward  to  Nevada  and  Washington  Territory. 

The  Wild  Pigeon  and  Turtle  Dove  are  the  only  representatives  of 
the  Pigeon  family  occurring  in  Pennsylvania.  Both  species  are  highly 
esteemed  as  articles  of  food,  and  in  the  autumn  are  eagerly  sought 
after  by  gunners.  Wild  Pigeons,  during  the  fall  especially,  are  fre- 
quently found  in  this  State.  They  are  seen  usually  in  small  parties ; 
a  few  remain  during  the  summer  season  and  rear  their  young,  in  dif- 
ferent sections  of  this  Commonwealth. 

"  We  do  not  have  the  c  millions '  that  the  earlier  writers  speak  of  in 
the  eastern  United  States  now ;  *  *  *  the  greatest  roosts  and 
flights  we  now  hear  of  are  in  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley.  Nest  in 
trees  and  bushes,  a  slight,  frail  platform  of  twigs,  so  open  as  to  leave 
the  egg  visible  from  below.  Eggs,  white  1  or  2,  equal-ended,  1.45  by 
1,05." — Cones.  The  following  interesting  description  of  a  flight  and 
roosting  place  are  taken  from  Audubon's  Birds  of  America : 

"In  the  autumn  of  1813,  I  left  my  house  at  Henderson,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio,  on  my  way  to  Louisville.  In  passing  over  the 
Barrens,  a  few  miles  beyond  Hardensburg,  I  observed  the  pigeons  fly- 
ing from  north-east  to  south-west,  in  greater  numbers  than  I  thought 
I  had  ever  seen  them  before,  and  feeling  an  inclination  to  count  the 
flocks  that  might  pass  within  the  reach  of  my  eye  in  one  hour,  I  dis- 
mounted, seated  myself  on  an  eminence,  and  began  to  mark  with  my 
pencil,  making  a  dot  for  every  flock  that  passed.  In  a  short  time, 
finding  the  task  which  I  had  undertaken  impracticable,  as  the  birds 
poured  in  in  countless  multitudes,  I  rose,  and  counting  the  dots  then 
put  down,  found  that  163  had  been  made  in  twenty-one  minutes.  I 
traveled  on,  and  still  met  more  the  farther  I  proceeded.  The  air  was 
literally  filled  with  pigeons ;  the  light  of  noonday  was  obscured  as  by 
an  eclipse ;  the  dung  fell  in  spots,  not  unlike  melting  flakes  of  snow. 
Whilst  waiting  for  dinner  at  an  inn  at  the  confluence  of  Salt  river 
with  the  Ohio,  I  saw,  at  my  leisure,  immense  legions  still  going  by, 
with  a  front  reaching  far  beyond  the  Ohio  on  the  west,  and  the  beech- 
wood  forests  directly  on  the  east  of  me.  Not  a  single  bird  alighted ; 
for  not  a  nut  or  acorn  was  that  year  to  be  seen  in  the  neighborhood. 
They  consequently  flew  so  high  that  different  trials  to  reach  them 
with  a  capital  rifle  proved  ineffectual.  Before  sunset  I  reached  Louis- 
ville, distant  from  Hardensburg  fifty-five  miles.  The  Pigeons  were  still 
passing  in  undiminished  numbers,  and  continued  to  do  so  for  three  days 
in  succession.  The  people  were  all  in  arms.  The  banks  of  the  Ohio  were 
crowded  with  men  and  boys,  incessantly  shooting  at  the  pilgrims,  which 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA.  53 

there  flew  lower  as  they  passed  the  river.  Multitudes  were  thus  des- 
troyed. For  a  week  or  more,  the  population  fed  on  no  other  flesh  than 
that  of  Pigeons,  and  talked  of  nothing  but  Pigeons.  One  of  these 
curious  roosting  places,  on  the  banks  of  the  Green  river  in  Kentucky, 
I  repeatedly  visited.  It  was,  as  is  always  the  case,  in  a  portion  of  the 
forest  where  the  trees  were  of  great  magnitude,  and  where  there  was 
little  underwood.  I  rode  through  it  upwards  of  forty  miles,  and  cross- 
ing it  in  different  parts,  found  its  average  breadth  to  be  rather  more 
than  three  miles.  My  first  view  of  it  was  about  a  fortnight  subse- 
quent to  the  period  when  they  had  made  choice  of  it,  and  I  arrived 
there  nearly  two  hours  before  sunset.  Few  Pigeons  were  then  to  be 
seen,  but  a  great  number  of  persons,  with  horses  and  wagons,  guns 
and  ammunition,  had  already  established  encampments  on  the  bor- 
ders. Two  farmers  from  the  vicinity  of  Russellville,  distant  more 
than  a  hundred  miles,  had  driven  upwards  of  300  hogs  to  be  fattened 
on  Pigeons  which  were  to  be  slaughtered.  Here  and  there,  the  peo- 
ple employed  in  plucking  and  salting  what  had  already  been  pro- 
cured, were  seen  sitting  in  the  midst  of  large  piles  of  these  birds. 
The  dung  lay  several  inches  deep,  covering  the  whole  extent  of  the 
roosting-place.  Many  trees  two  feet  in  diameter,  I  observed,  were 
broken  off  at  no  great  distance  from  the  ground ;  and  the  branches  of 
many  of  the  largest  and  tallest  had  given  way,  as  if  the  forest  had 
been  swept  by  a  tornado.  Every  thing  proved  to  me  that  the  num- 
ber of  birds  resorting  to  this  part  of  the  forest  must  be  immense  be- 
yond conception.  As  the  period  of  their  arrival  approached,  their 
foes  anxiously  prepared  to  receive  them.  Some  were  furnished  with 
iron  pots,  containing  sulphur,  others  with  torches  of  pine  knots,  many 
with  poles,  and  the  rest  with  guns.  The  sun  was  lost  to  our  view,  yet 
not  a  Pigeon  had  arrived.  Every  thing  was  ready,  and  all  eyes  were 
gazing  on  the  clear  sky,  which  appeared  in  glimpses  amidst  the  tall 
trees.  Suddenly  there  burst  forth  a  general  cry  of  '  Here  they  come !' 
The  noise  which  they  made,  though  yet  distant,  reminded  me  of  a 
hard  gale  at  sea,  passing  through  the  rigging  of  a  close-reefed  vessel. 
As  the  birds  arrived  and  passed  over  me,  I  felt  a  current  of  air  that 
surprised  me.  Thousands  were  knocked  down  by  the  pole-men.  The 
birds  continued  to  pour  in.  The  fires  were  lighted,  and  a  magnificent, 
as  well  as  wonderful  and  almost  terrifying,  si^ht  presented  itself.  The 
Pigeons,  arriving  by  thousands,  alighted  everywhere,  one  above  an- 
other, until  solid  masses  were  formed  on  the  branches  all  around. 
Here  and  there  the  perches  gave  way  under  the  weight  with  a  crash, 
and,  falling  to  the  ground,  destroyed  hundreds  of  the  birds  beneath, 
forcing  down  the  dense  groups  with  which  every  stick  was  loaded.  It 
was  a  scene  of  uproar  and  confusion.  No  one  dared  venture  within 
the  line  of  devastation.  The  hogs  had  been  penned  up  in  due 


54  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

time,  the  picking  up  of  the  dead  and  wounded  being  left  for  the 
next  morning's  employment.  The  pigeons  were  constantly  com- 
ing, and  it  was  past  midnight  before  I  perceived  a  decrease  in 
the  number  of  those  that  arrived.  The  uproar  continued  the  whole 
night,  and  as  I  was  anxious  to  know  to  what  distance  the  sound 
reached,  I  sent  off  a  man,  accustomed  to  perambulate  the  forest,  who, 
returning  two  hours  afterward,  informed  me  he  had  heard  it  distinctly 
when  three  miles  distant  from  the  spot.  Towards  the  approach  of 
day,  the  noise  in  some  measure  subsided;  long  before  objects  were 
distinguishable,  the  Pigeons  began  to  move  off  in  a  direction  quite 
different  from  that  in  which  they  had  arrived  the  evening  before,  and 
at  sunrise  all  that  were  able  to  fly  had  disappeared.  The  bowlings  of 
the  wolves  now  reached  our  ears,  and  the  foxes,  lynxes,  cougars,  bears, 
raccoons,  opossums  and  polecats  were  seen  sneaking  off,  whilst  eagles 
and  hawks  of  different  species,  accompanied  by  a  crowd  of  vultures, 
came  to  supplant  them,  and  enjoy  their  share  of  the  spoil.  It  was 
then  that  the  authors  of  all  this  devastation  began  their  entry  amongst 
the  dead,  the  dying  and  the  mangled.  The  Pigeons  were  picked  up 
and  piled  in  heaps,  until  each  had  as  many  as.  he  could  possibly  dis- 
pose of,  when  the  hogs  were  let  loose  to  feed  on  the  remainder." 


GENUS   ZENAIDTJRA.     BONAPARTE. 
316.    Zenaidura  macroura  (LINN.). 

Mourning  Dove;   Turtle  Dove. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Tail  feathers,  14.  Above  bluish,  although  this  is  overlaid  with  light  brownish 
olive,  leaving  the  blue  pure  only  on  the  top  of  the  head,  the  exterior  of  the  wings, 
and  upper  surface  of  the  tail,  which  is  even  slightly  tinged  with  this  color;  the  entire 
head,  except  the  vertex,  the  sides  of  the  neck,  and  the  under  parts  generally,  light 
brownish-red,  strongly  tinged  with  purple  on  the  breast,  becoming  lighter  behind, 
and  passing  into  brownish-yellow  on  the  anal  region,  tibia  and  under  tail  coverts  ; 
sides  of  the  neck  with  a  patch  of  metallic  purplish-red  ;  sides  of  body  and  inside  <  >f 
wings  clear  light-blue  ;  wing  coverts  and  scapulars  spotted  with  black,  mostly  con- 
cealed, and  an  oblong  patch  of  the  same  below  the  ear  ;  tail  feathers  seen  from  bo- 
low  blackish,  the  outer  web  of  outermost  white,  the  others  tipped  with  the  same, 
the  color  becoming  more  and  more  bluish  to  the  innermost,  which  is  brown  ;  soon 
from  above,  there  is  the  same  graduation  from  white  to  light-blue  in  the  tips ;  tiio 
rest  of  the  feather,  however,  is  blue,  with  a  bar  of  black  anterior  to  the  light  tip, 
which  runs  a  little  forward  along  the  margin  and  shaft  of  the  feather ;  in  the  sixth 
feather  the  color  is  uniform  bluish,  with  this  bar  ;  the  seventh  is  without  bar  ;  bill, 
black  ;  feet,  purplish-red.  Female  somewhat  smaller,  with  less  red  beneath  ;  me- 
tallic purplish-red  of  neck  less  distinct;  black  spot  below  the  ear  smaller,  and  of  a 
brownish  hue.  Young  very  similar  to  female,  but  duller  in  color  and  lack  the  me- 
tallic markings  on  sides  of  neck. 

Length  of  male,  12.85  inches;  extent,  about  18;  wing,  5.75;  tail,  6.70  inches. 

Hob.—  North  America,  from  southern  Maine,  southern  Canada  and  Oregon  south 
to  Panama  and  the  West  Indies. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


55 


The  only  species  with  which  the  Mourning  Dove,  so  called  from  its 
note,  can  possibly  be  confounded  is  the  Wild  Pigeon,  from  which  it 
can  readily  be  distinguished  if'  the  following  facts  are  remembered. 
The  Dove  measures  about  thirteen  inches  in  length  and  eighteen 
inches  in  alar  extent;  the  Pigeon  about  seventeen  by  twenty-five 
inches.  So,  first  we  find  a  marked  difference  in  size.  Secondly,  the 
Dove  has  fourteen  tail  feathers ;  the  Pigeon  has  but  twelve ;  again, 
the  eyes  of  the  Dove  are  brown,  while  those  of  the  Pigeon  are  red. 
This  bird  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  during  all  seasons  of  the  year,  and 
at  times  other  than  when  breeding  is  gregarious.  In  March,-  the  flocks 
which  have  been  observed  during  the  winter  about  the  fields  and  or- 
chards, separate  and  begin  their  love-making.  The  nest,  a  carelessly 
constructed  affair,  is  made  up  entirely  of  small  sticks,  and  is  generally 
found  placed  on  a  large  limb  of  a  tree  in  an  apple  orchard.  On  the 
barren  ridge,  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  I  have  on  several  occasions 
found  these  birds  nesting  in  pine  trees;  the  eggs  are  two  in  number, 
white  and  unspotted.  Sometimes  these  birds  will  occupy  nests  which 
have  been  deserted  by  other  species.  I  once,  some  few  years  ago, 
found  a  pair  breeding  in  the  nest  of  a  Green  Heron,  which  had  been 
deserted  by  the  original  possessors.  On  another  occasion,  a  nest  was 
found  built  in  that  of  a  Crow  Blackbird. 

FOOD. 

Doves  rarely  feed  on  insects,  but  subsist  almost  exclusively  on 
cereals,  small  seeds,  and,  occasionally,  it  is  said,  on  various  wild  ber- 
ries. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-M  ATERI  A  LS. 

1 
2 

3 

Sept,  11,  1880,  . 
Oct.  15,  1880,  . 
Feb.  16,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 
East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 
Pocopson,  Pa., 

Grass-seeds. 
Small  seeds. 
Seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter. 

4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 

March  r6,  1880,  . 
March  20,  1882,  . 
April  5,  1882,  . 
May  7,  1883,  . 
Mav  25,  1883,  . 
June  31,  1883,  . 
Nov.  29,  1886,  .  . 
Nov.  29,  1886,  .  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa,,  . 
Chester  countv,  Pa.,  .    . 
West  Goshen/Pa.,      .    . 
West  Goshen,  Pa.,      .    . 
West  Goshen,  Pa.,     .    . 
North  Brook,  Pa,,  .    .    . 
North  Brook,  Pa.,      .    . 

Seeds  of  Amaranthacece. 
Wheat  and  small  black  seeds. 
Corn  and  small  seeds. 
Wheat  and  corn. 
Small  seeds. 
Wheat. 
Apple  seeds  and  seeds  of  grasses. 
Apple  seeds  and  seeds  of  grasses. 

Birds  of  Prey  and  the  "Scalp"  Act  of  June  23,  1885. 


In  an  agricultural  district,  the  preservation  of  the  hawk  and  owl 
tribe  is  a  matter  of  great  importance.  These  birds,  with  few  excep- 
tions, subsist  mainly  on  mice,  other  small  quadrupeds  and  various 


56  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

insects,  which  are  so  destructive  in  the  fields,  orchards,  gardens  and 
about  buildings.  Until  within  a  quite  recent  period,  Pennsylvania 
has  been  burdened  with  an  act  of  Assembly  awarding  premiums  for 
the  destruction  of  these  well-known  feathered  friends  of  the  farmer. 
The  members  of  ";  The  West  Chester  Microscopical  Society,"  recog- 
nizing the  great  wrong  and  injury  which  was  being  accomplished  by 
the  enforcement  of  this  odious  "  Scalp  Act,"  as  it  was  .universally 
called,  took  an  active  part  in  endeavoring  to  secure  its  repeal.  From 
*  reports  issued  by  their  Committee  on  Protection  of  Birds  of  Prey, 
the  following  extracts  are  taken  : 

"The  committee  appointed  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Microscopical 
Society  to  take  into  consideration  the  act  of  Assembly  passed  the  23d 
day  of  June,  A.  D.  1885,  entitled  'An  act  for  the  destruction  of 
wolves,  wild  cats,  foxes,  minks,  hawks,  weasels  and  owls  in  this  Com- 
monwealth,' beg  leave  to  report  that  the  chairman  of  the  committee, 
Dr.  B.  H.  Warren,  Ornithologist  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Board  of 
Agriculture,  has  devoted  several  years  of  his  life  to  the  collection, 
dissection  and  examination  of  birds,  and  that  all  of  the  committee 
from  observation  and  experience  have  believed  that  all  of  the  birds 
denounced  in  the  law  with  rare  exceptions,  have  been  found  to  be  the 
best  friends  of  the  farmer.  Lest,  however,  any  of  the  committee 
might  be  mistaken  they  have  corresponded  with  the  best  ornithologists 
in  the  country,  men  who  have  made  ornithology  a  study  and  are  con- 
nected with  that  department  in  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  asking 
their  opinion  as  to  the  benefits  or  injury  likely  to  arise  from  the  execu- 
tion of  the  law  against  the  birds  therein  named. 

"  They  have  received  answers  from  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam,  Ornitholo- 
gist of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture;  Dr.  Elliott 
Coues,  Vice  President  American  Ornithologists'  Union ;  Robert  Ridg- 
way,  Curator  of  Department  of  Birds  United  States  National  Museum ; 
Dr.  Leonard  Stejneger,  Assistant  Curator  of  the  same  department; 
H.  W.  Henshaw,  of  the  Bureau  of  Ethnology,  also  a  collector  of  birds 
for  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  and  connected  with  the  late  Wheeler 
Survey  of  the  Territories,  and  Lucien  M.  Turner,  a  collector  of  birds, 
etc.,  for  the  Smithsonian  Institution  for  the  last  twelve  years.  These 
answers,  which  are  annexed  to  this  report,  all  bear  testimony  that  the 
hawks  and  owls  are  of  great  benefit  to  the  farmer,  and  render  him 
far  greater  service  than  injury,  and  that  it  is  unwise  to  select  any  of 
them  for  destruction. 

"  The  committee  regrets  to  say  that  there  have  been  ninety  odd 
hawks  and  a  dozen  or  more  owls  killed  since  the  law  was  passed,  June 

*  Reports  of  the  Microscopical  Society  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  on  the  act  of  Assembly  of  said 
State  awarding-  a  premium  for  the  destruction  of  Hawks,  Owls,  Minks,  Weasels,  etc.,  etc.. 
enacted  June  23, 1885 ;  published  January,  188L 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  57 

23,  1885,  at  a  cost  to  this  county  of  about  $75,  and  that  the  slaughter 
is  still  going  on. 

•'  Believing,  therefore,  that  the  killing  of  these  birds  is  detrimental 
to  the  interests  of  the  agriculturists,  they  believe  that  instead  of  being 
destroyed  they  should  be  protected,  and  they,  therefore,  recommend 
the  passage  of  the  following  resolution : 

u  Resolved  by  the  Microscopical  Society  of  West  Chester,  that  in 
the  opinion  of  the  Society  the  act  of  June  23, 1885,  offering  a  premium 
for  the  destruction  of  hawks  and  owls,  is  unwise  and  prejudicial  to  the 
interest  of  agriculture,  and  so  far  as  those  birds  are  concerned,  ought 
to  be  repealed. 

u  Resolved^  That  the  President  and  Secretary  of  the  Society  be  in- 
structed to  forward  a  copy  of  the  above  resolution  to  our  members  of 
the  Legislature  at  its  next  session  and  request  their  aid  towards  the 
repeal  of  the  act  so  far  as  is  above  stated. 

"All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

"B.  H.  WARREN, 

W.    TOWNSEND, 

THOS.  D.  DUNN, 
JAMES  C.  SELLERS, 

Committee. 
"  March  4, 


"U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE^ 

WASHINGTON.  D.  C.,  March  2,  1886. 

"  DR.  B.  H.  WARREN,  Ornitholcgist  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Board 

of  Agriculture: 

"  DEAR  SIR  :  Your  letter  of  the  18th  inst.  has  just  come  to  hand. 
I  have  read  with  surprise  and  indignation  the  copy  sent  of  section  1, 
page  141,  of  the  laws  of  Pennsylvania  for  1885,  in  which  a  bounty  is 
offered  for  the  destruction  of  weasels,  hawks  and  owls.  The  clause 
purports  to  have  been  enacted  c  for  the  benefit  of  agriculture,"  etc. 

"  The  possibility  of  the  passage  of  such  an  act  by  any  legislative 
body  is  a  melancholy  comment  on  the  widespread  ignorance  that  pre- 
vails even  among  intelligent  persons,  concerning  the  food  of  our  com- 
mon birds  and  mammals,  and  is  an  evidence  of  the  urgent  need  of 
just  such  systematic  and  comprehensive  investigations  as  this  depart- 
ment is  now  making  on  the  subject  of  the  relation  of  food  habits  to 
agriculture. 

"  Their  are  two  kinds  of  weasels  in  the  Eastern  States.  The  smaller 
kind  feeds  chiefly  on  mice  and  insects,  and  is  not  known  to  kill  poul- 
try. The  larger  also  preys  mainly  upon  mice  and  rats,  but  in  addition 
sometimes  kills  rabbits  and  poultry.  Both  species  are  friends  of  the 


58  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

farmer,  for  the  occasional  loss  of  a  few  chickens  is  of  trifling  con- 
sequence compared  with  the  good  that  these  animals  are  constantly 
doing  in  checking  the  increase  of  mice. 

"  You  ask  my  opinion  in  regard  to  the  beneficial  and  injurious  quali- 
ties of  the  Hawks  and  Owls  which  inhabit  Pennsylvania.  This  ques- 
tion seems  almost  superflous  in  view  of  the  fact  that  your  own  inves- 
tigations, more  than  those  of  any  other  one  person,  have  led  to  a  bet- 
ter knowledge  of  the  food-habits  of  these  birds,  and  what  you  have 
done  in  the  East  Prof.  Aughey,  of  Nebraska,  has  done  in  the  West. 
Many  others  have  added  their  k  mites,'  till  at  the  present  time  a  suffi- 
cient array  of  facts  has  been  accumulated  to  enable  us  to  state,  with- 
out fear  of  contradiction,  that  our  Hawks  and  Owls  must  be  ranked 
among  the  best  friends  of  the  farmer.  With  very  few  exceptions, 
their  food  consists  of  mice  and  insects,  meadow-mice  and  grasshop- 
pers predominating.  The  exceptions  are  the  fierce  Goshawk  from  the 
North,  and  two  smaller  resident  Hawks,  Cooper's  and  the  Sharp- 
shinned,  which  really  destroy  many  wild  birds  and  some  poultry. 
These  three  Hawks  have  long  tails  and  short  wings,  which  serve,  among 
other  characters,  to  distinguish  them  from  the  beneficial  kinds. 

•'Strange  as  it  may  appear  to  the  average  farmer,  the  largest  Hawks 
are  the  ones  that  do  the  most  good.  Foremost  among  these  are  the 
Rough-legged  and  Marsh  Hawks,  which  do  not  meddle  with  poultry 
and  rarely  prey  upon  wild  birds. 

u  Of  Hawks  and  Owls  collectively,  it  may  safely  be  said  that,  except 
in  rare  instances,  the  loss  they  occasion  by  the  destruction  of  poultry 
is  insignificant  in  comparison  with  the  benefits  derived  by  the  farmer 
and  fruit  grower  from  their  constant  vigilance ;  for  when  unmolested 
the  one  guards  his  crop  by  day  and  the  other  by  night. 

"  It  is  earnestly  to  be  hoped  that  you  will  succeed  not  only  in  caus- 
ing the  repeal  of  the  ill-advised  act  which  provides  a  bounty  for  the 
killing  of  Hawks  and  Owls,  but  that  you  will  go  farther,  and  secure 
the  enactment  of  a  law  which  will  impose  a  fine  for  the  slaughter  of 
these  useful  birds. 

"  Very  truly  yours, 

"  C.  HART  MERRIAM, 
"Ornithologist  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture. 


"UNITED  STATES  NATIONAL  MUSEUM, 

"  Under  Direction  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution, 

u  WASHINGTON,  March  5,  1886. 
"  DR.  B.  H.  WARREN,  West  Chester,  Pa.  : 

u  DEAR  DR.  WARREN  :  1  am  just  in  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  1st 
instant,  and  therefore  fear  that  my  reply  cannot  reach  you  in  time  for 
use  at  the  meeting  to-morrow  evening.  It  affords  me  much  pleasure, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  59 

however,  to  comply  with  your  request  for  my  views  concerning  the 
food-habits  of  Hawks  and  Owls  and  their  relation  to  man. 

"  Of  all  the  species  which  you  name  there  are  only  two  which,  ac- 
cording to  my  best  judgment,  are  at  all  seriously  destructive  to  game 
or  poultry,  these  being  Cooper's  Hawk  and  the  Great-horned  Owl. 
The  rest,  with  the  possible  exception  of  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk, 
which  certainly  is  destructive  to  the  smaller  birds,  my  experience 
leads  me  to  regard  as  very  decidedly  beneficial  to  man.  their  food  con- 
sisting very  largely,  if  not  chiefly,  of  the  smaller  rodents,  field  mice 
especially.  The  Red-shouldered  and  Red-tailed  Hawks  occasionally 
pick  up  a  young  chicken  or  rabbit,  but  I  feel  quite  sure  that  their 
service  to  man  far  outweighs  the  injury  which  they  thus  do.  The 
little  Sparrow  Hawk  and  other  smaller  species  destroy  large  numbers 
of  grasshoppers,  locusts  and  other  large  insects. 
"  Very  truly  yours, 

"  ROBERT  RIDGWAY, 
"  Curator,  Dept.  Birds. 


"  SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION, 
"  WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  March  3,  1886. 
a  DR.  B.  H.  WARREN,  West  Chester,  Pa.  : 

"  DEAR  DOCTOR  :  In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  3d  inst.,  asking  for 
my  opinion  in  regard  to  the  food,  etc.,  of  certain  Hawks  and  Owls 
specified,  I  would  state  that  I  have  read  Mr.  Robert  Ridgway's  an- 
swer to  a  similar  request  from  you  and  that  I  agree  with  him  in  every 
particular.  The  idea  of  persecuting  the  majority  of  Hawks  and  Owls 
systematically  is  simply  preposterous,  and  any  law  which  has  for  its 
object  their  indiscriminate  destruction  should  be  immediately  re- 
pealed, since  most  of  the  birds  alluded  to  are  among  the  very  best 
friends  of  the  farmer.  In  regard  to  a  few  species  it  is  well  worth 
while  to  suspend  judgment  until  a  thorough  investigation  as  to  their 
habits  and  food  in  your  State  can  be  carried  out,  for,  as  you  are  well 
aware,  a  species  which  in  some  parts  of  the  country  and  at  some 
seasons  may  be  injurious,  in  other  regions  and  under  altered  circum- 
stances may  be  chiefly  beneficial. 

"  I  remain,  yours  sincerely, 

-LEONARD  STEJNEGER, 

"Assistant  Curator,  Dept.  of  Birds,  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus. 


"  WASHINGTON,  March  3.  1886. 
"  B.  H.  WARREN,  M.  D.,  West  Chester,  Pa.  : 

"  DEAR  SIR  :     In  reply  to  your  favor  of  the  1st  iust,  asking  for  my 
opinion  with  regard  to  the  economic  utility  of  the  birds  of  prey,  I 


60  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

take  pleasure  in  responding  as  follows :  To  the  ornithologist,  whose 
business  it  is  to  study  the  habits  of  birds,  the  widespread  ignorance 
of  the  habits  of  the  Hawk  and  Owl  tribe,  and  the  mistaken  idea  as  to 
the  amount  of  injury  they  do  are  almost  inconceivable. 

"  So  common,  however,  are  these  erroneous  ideas  respecting  the 
birds  of  prey  and  their  relations  to  the  farmer  and  agriculturist  that 
it  is  not  at  all  surprising  that  laws  similar  to  the  one  now  in  force  in 
Pennsylvania  should  be  enacted. 

"  Your  own  investigations  into  the  nature  of  the  food  of  the  birds 
of  prey  of  your  county  might  be  cited  in  support  of  the  statement 
that  such  enactments  are  based  upon  erroneous  conceptions.  I  may 
add  that  wherever  such  investigations  have  been  systematically  con- 
ducted they  have  resulted  in  a  verdict  favorable  to  the  birds  of  prey. 
In  almost  every  portion  of  the  country  I  have  found  the  opinions  of 
all  field  ornithologists  to  be  in  favor  of  the  preservation  of  the  Hawk 
and  Owl  tribe  on  account  of  the  good  they  do.  I  believe  the  time 
will  come  when  the  farmers  as  a  class  will  carefully  protect  the  Hawks 
and  Owls  on  the  ground  of  their  beneficent  services. 

"  Following  is  the  list  of  species  most  numerous  in  your  State : 

"  1.  Marsh  Hawk.     Circus  hudsonius. 

"  2.  Sparrow  Hawk.     Falco  sparverius. 

"  3.  Red-shouldered  Hawk.     Buteo  lineatus. 

"  4.  Red-tailed  Hawk.     Buteo  lorealis. 

"  5.  Cooper's  Hawk.     Accipiter  cooperi. 

"  6.  Sharp- shinned  Hawk.     Accipiter  velox. 

"  7.  Broad- winged  Hawk.     Buteo  latissimus. 

"  8.  Rough-legged  Hawk.     Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis. 

"  0.  Short-eared  Owl.     Asio  accipitrinus. 

"10.  Screech  Owl.     Megascops  asio. 

"  11.  Long-eared  Owl.     Asio  wilsonianus. 

"  12.  Barred  Owl.     Syrnium  nebulosum. 

"  13.  Horned  Owl.     Bubo  virginianus. 

"  Of  this  list  the  Marsh  Hawk,  Red-shouldered  Hawk,  Red-tailed 
Hawk,  Broad-winged  Hawk,  Rough-legged  Hawk,  Short  and  Long- 
eared  Owls,  Screech  Owl,  Barred  Owl  and  Horned  Owl  are  of  very 
great  value  to  the  agriculturist  because  of  the  immense  numbers  of 
meadow  mice  and  other  small  rodents  they  annually  destroy.  The 
mice,  when  unchecked,,  increase  with  amazing  rapidity,  and  the  Hawks 
and  Owls  above  named  are  among  the  chief  natural  means  for  their 
destruction,  mice  and  other  rodents  forming  a  large  percentage  of 
their  food.  The  harm  the  Hawks  do  in  the  destruction  of  small 
birds  is  inconsiderable  compared  to  the  benefits  derived  by  the  far- 
mers from  the  destruction  of  the  four-footed  pests.  The  Owls  par- 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  61 

ticularly  work  by  night  and  hence  the  benefits  they  confer  are  easily 
overlooked. 

k>  The  Sparrow  Hawk  is  one  of  the  most  harmless  of  birds  and  one 
of  the  most  beneficial  to  man.  He  lives  almost  exclusively  upon 
grasshoppers  and  crickets,  and  the  number  of  the  former  destroyed 
by  these  birds  is  incalculable. 

"  I  mention  the  Cooper's  and  Sharp- shinned  Hawks  last  because  they 
unquestionably  kill  many  small  birds,  and  they  also  commit  depreda- 
tions upon  the  poultry  yard.  I  believe,  however,  they  can  safely  be 
left  to  be  dealt  with  by  the  class  they  injure,  chiefly  poultry  men.  To 
place  all  the  Hawks  and  Owls  under  ban,  and  to  attempt  their  exter- 
mination simply  because  one  or  two  species  are  injurious  is  certainly 
not  good  policy. 

"After  more  than  twenty  years  study  of  birds  I  am  decidedly  of  the 
opinion  that  the  Hawks  and  Owls  as  a  class  are  of  great  economic 
value,  and  tnat  no  State  in  which  agriculture  is  pursued  to  any  extent 
can  afford  to  dispense  with  their  services.  They  not  only  ought  not 
to  be  exterminated,  but  they  should  be  placed  upon  the  list  of  birds 

protected  by  law. 

"  I  am,  very  truly  yours, 

"H.  W.  HENSHAW. 


"  WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  March  81,  1886. 
uDn.  B.  H.  WARREN: 

"  DEAR  SIR  :  Responding  to  your  request  for  my  opinion  respect- 
ing the  usefulness  of  Hawks  and  Owls,  regarded  from  an  agricultural 
or  other  economic  standpoint,  I  beg  to  say  that  I  consider  these  birds 
highly  beneficial  and  worthy  of  protective  legislation. 

"The  number  of  poultry  and  of  useful  insectivorous  birds  which 
Hawks  and  Owls  destroy  is  insignificant  in  comparison  with  the  quan- 
tity of  noxious  rodents  which  they  consume.  Owls  are  particularly 
serviceable  in  this  respect,  and  next  after  them  come  the  Buzzards. 
Most  birds  of  prey  likewise  consume  enormous  numbers  of  insects, 
among  which  is  a  large  proportion  of  noxious  kinds. 
u  Very  truly  yours, 

"ELLIOTT  COUES, 

"  V.  P.  A.  O.  U.,  etc. 

"  SMITHSONIAN  INSTITUTION, 
"WASHINGTON,  D.  <X  March  3,  1886. 
"  B.  H.  WARREN,  M.  D.,  Ornithologist  Pennsylvania  State  Board  of 

Agriculture,  West  Chester,  Pa. : 

"  DEAR  SIR  :  Your  letter  of  recent  date  requesting  my  opinion  of 
the  act  (No.  109)  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  relative  to 


62  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

the  premiums  paid  for  the  destruction  of  certain  species  of  birds  and 
mammals,  alleged  to  be  injurious  and  classed  as  noxious  within  the 
meaning  of  that  act,  is  at  hand. 

u  I  must  confess  a  surprise  at  the  truly  lamentable  ignorance  of  the 
framer  of  that  act  in  regard  to  the  supposed  noxious  character  of  the 
Hawks  and  Owls,  upon  whose  lives  a  premium  has  been  set  for  their 
destruction. 

"  It  is  well  kown  that  no  more  beneficial  bird  exists  than  the  Owl, 
whose  nocturnal  habits  render  it  specially  fitted  to  pursue  the  smaller 
rodents,  such  as  mice,  whose  ravages  upon  the  field,  grain,  root  and 
orchard  are  so  well  known  that  all  farmers  have  from  time  imme- 
morial exclaimed  against  the  destructiveness  of  those  quadrupeds 
whose  annual  devastation  causes  the  money  value  of  the  losses  sus- 
tained through  their  ravages  to  swell  into  countless  thousands  of 
dollars. 

u  The  tender  growths  of  the  orchard  are  decorticated  by  the  mice 
and  rabbits,  which  are  in  turn  devoured  by  the  Owls  sought  to  be  de- 
stroyed simply  because  some  one  desires  to  become  notorious  as  a  law- 
maker, and  through  utter  ignorance  of  the  subject  endeavors  to  de- 
prive the  farmer  of  his  best  nocturnal  friends,  which  guard  the  grow- 
ing crop  with  zealous  care  while  the  owner  sleeps  to  regain  a  strength 
to  enable  him  to  continue  the  daily  toil  of  protecting  his  crops  from 
the  devastation  of  his  sleek-furred  enemies,  most  insidious  at  night. 
There  is  not  a  species  of  Owl  but  that  amply  repays  for  the  few  in- 
cursions made  at  irregular  periods  upon  isolated  hen  roosts.  Where 
a  single  fowl  is  thus  lost,  a  thousand  mice  pay  the  penalty  of  their 
lives  to  the  same  Owl. 

"  The  nocturnal  habits  of  the  Owls  render  their  services  far  more 
beneficial  than  may  be  accurately  ascertained. 

"  In  regard  to  the  Hawks  their  reputation  is  much  exaggerated  so 
far  as  their  injurious  propensity  is  concerned,  yet  when  truthful  evi- 
dence is  placed  in  the  scales  the  beneficial  services  of  the  Hawks  will 
preponderate  in  a  most  satisfactory  manner. 

"  Certain  species  of  the  diurnal  birds  of  prey  are  well  known  to 
feed  almost  exclusively  upon  small  rodents,  and  in  fact  differing  but 
little  from  the  Owls  in  regard  to  their  food.  Two  or  three  species  of 
Hawks  (those  belonging  to  the  genus  Archibuteo)  are  notoriously  the 
best  diurnal  mouse-catchers  of  all  birds.  Their  habits  to  soar  over  the 
level  tracts  devoted  to  grasses  and  search  for  their  food  are  so  well 
known  that  further  consideration  of  them  is  but  repetition  of  estab- 
lished facts.  The  bolder  species  of  hawks  so  rarely  commit  depreda- 
tions upon  the  farm-yard  fowls  that  these  instances  are,  without  doubt, 
the  result  of  an  individual  predeliction  for  which  the  entire  family 
should  not  be  branded.  The  number  of  rabbits  and  mice  which  the 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  63 

Hawks  annually  destroy  is  simply  incredible,  as  any  really  observant 
person  will  admit. 

"  In  my  own  opinion,  the  destruction  of  the  Hawks  and  Owls  within 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  will,  ere  many  years,  result  in  an  incalcu- 
lable injury  to  the  farmer,  who  will  be  overrun  with  hordes  of  mice, 
which  he  will  be  powerless  to  limit,  as  their  reproductiveness,  when 
undisturbed,  progresses  with  astonishing  rapidity. 

"It  would,  in  my  opinion,  be  a  wise  measure  to  have  the  act  relat- 
ing to  the  alleged  noxious  birds  totally  repealed. 
"  Very  truly  yours, 

"LuciEN  M.  TURNER. 


"AMERICAN  ORNITHOLOGISTS  UNION, 

"Committee  on  the  Protection  of  North  American  Birds, 

"  NEW  YORK,  March  12,  1886. 
"DR.  B.  H.  WARREN: 

"  DEAR  SIR  :  The  A.  O.  U.  Committee  on  the  Protection  of  Birds, 
recognizing  the  great  importance  ol  the  report  of  your  Committee  on 
the  Usefulness  of  Hawks  and  Owls  to  the  Farmer,  has  instructed  me 
to  purchase,  if  possible,  one  hundred  copies  of  the  paper  containing 
your  report,  and  to  ask  if  we  may  have  the  privilege  of  reprinting  it, 
either  in  whole  or  in  part,  in  the  interest  of  the  cause,  if  at  any  time 
we  should  find  it  convenient  to  do  so.  Your  report  is  directly  in  the 
line  of  our  work  and  could  not  fail  to  be  a  telling  influence  for  good 
if  well  circulated. 

Very  truly  yours, 

EUGENE  P.  BICKNELL, 
Secretary. 

"Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  Assistant  Ornithologist  U.  S.  Department  of 
Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C.,  in  a  letter  dated  January  15,  1887, 
addressed  to  Dr.  B.  H.  Warren,  says :  c  Wednesday  I  received  eight 
adult  Red-tails  and  two  Red-shouldered  Hawks  from  a  man  in  Mary- 
land. *  *  *  I  find  nothing  but  mice  and  shrews  in  their  crops  and 
stomachs  (from  two  to  five  in  each).  I  found  two  specimens  of  Sorex 
and  the  following  specimens  of  mice :  Mus  musculus^  Hesperomys 
leucopus,  Arvicola  riparius  and  Arvicola  pinetorum.  The  Hawks  had 
been  killed  because  they  had  "  killed  "  chickens  and  u  quails/' 

"  The  committee  also  made  inquiries  of  the  commissioners  of  the 
different  counties  as  to  the  numbers  of  birds  and  mammals  that  have 
been  killed  and  for  which  bounties  had  been  paid,  and  received  an- 
swers up  to  July  1,  1886,  from  thirty-four  counties.  The  number  of 
Hawks  killed  and  reported  up  to  that  date  was  9,237,  at  an  expense 
of  $7,335.10,  and  of  Owls  2,499,  at  an  expense  of  $1.303.90. 


64  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

"  In  many  cases,  however,  the  fees  of  the  magistrates  were  not  in- 
cluded, but  merely  the  bounties  paid  on  the  birds.  The  bounties  paid 
for  minks,  weasels,  foxes  and  wildcats,  raised  the  sums  reported  to 
$15,165.95. 

uAs  the  time  included  in  the  returns  does  not  come  down  to  date, 
and  as  only  thirty-four  out  of  sixty-seven  counties  made  reports,  it  is 
believed  by  the  committee  that  the  counties  pay  annually  riot  less  than 
$60,000  under  the  law  of  1885,  of  which  the  largest  part  is  paid  for  the 
destruction  of  Hawks  and  Owls.  That  they  are  the  best  friends  of  the 
farmer,  and  that  their  destruction  is  to  him  a  great  disadvantage,  the 
committee  thinks  that  it  has  already  shown,  bv  the  letters  of  eminent 
ornithologists  in  its  report  of  March  4  last." 

The  State  Board,  through  its  efficient  Secretary,  Thomas  J.  Edge, 
Esq.,  labored  most  industriously  to  show  the  economic  value  of  the 
raptorial  birds,  and  secure  the  repeal  of  that  part  of  the  u  Bounty 
Act  "  relating  to  the  Hawks  and  Owls. 

The  subjoined  report,  entitled  the  "  Bounty  or  k  Scalp  '  Act  of  1885," 
by  Thomas  J.  Edge,  Esq.,  will  give  a  very  clear  idea  of  the  efforts 
made  by  the  State  Board  through  its  energetic  Secretary  : 

"The  Bounty  or  'Scalp'  Act  of  1885. 


"  During  its  session  of  1885,  the  Legislature  enacted  the  following 
act  for  the  destruction  of  wolves,  wildcats,  foxes,  minks,  hawks,  wea 
sels  and  owls  in  this  Commonwealth  : 

u  SECTION  1.  Be  it  enacted,  dkc..  That  for  the  benefit  of  agriculture 
and  for  the  protection  of  game,  within  this  Commonwealth,  there  is 
hereby  established  the  following  premiums  for  the  destruction  of  cer- 
tain noxious  animals  and  birds,  to  be  paid  by  the  respective  counties 
in  which  the  same  are  slain,  namely,  for  every  wildcat  two  dollars,  for 
every  red  or  gray  fox  one  dollar,  for  every  mink  fifty  cents,  for  every 
weasel  fifty  cents,  for  every  hawk  fifty  cents,  and  for  every  owl,  ex- 
cept the  Arcadian,  screech  or  barn  owl,  which  is  hereby  exempted 
from  the  provisions  of  this  act,  fifty  cents. 

u  SECTION  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  any  person,  having  killed  any 
animal  or  bird  mentioned  in  the  first  section  of  this  act,  and  who  is 
desirous  of  availing  himself  of  the  premiums  therein  provided,  to 
produce  such  slain  animal  or  bird  before  any  magistrate,  alderman  or 
justice  of  the  peace  of  the  county,  in  which  the  same  was  killed,  and 
make  affidavit  of  the  time  and  place  of  killing  the  same :  Provided, 
That  the  pelt,  if  entire  from  the  tip  of  the  nose  of  any  such  animal, 
may  be  produced  in  lieu  of  the  same,  when  so  preferred;  and  upon 
the  reception  of  any  such  animal,  or  pelt,  or  bird,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  such  magistrate,  alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace,  in  the  presence 
of  said  person  killing  such  animal  or  bird,  and  one  elector  of  the 
county,  to  cut  off  the  ears  of  such  animal  or  the  head  of  such  bird, 
and  in  the  presence  of  said  persons,  burn  the  same. 

kt  SECTION  3.  Upon  the  destruction  of  the  ears  or  heads  as  aforesaid. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  65 

the  magistrate,  alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace  shall  give  to  the  per- 
son producing  such  animal  or  bird,  a  certificate  of  compliance  with 
the  provisions  of  this  act  directed  to  the  commissioners  of  the  county 
in  which  such  animal  or  bird  was  slain,  which  certificate  shall  con- 
tain the  following  facts,  the  kind  of  animal  or  bird  killed,  when, 
where  and  by  whom  killed,  and  the  date  by  whom  and  in  the  pres- 
ence of  what  elector  the  ears  of  said  animal  or  head  of  said  bird  was 
destroyed,  and  upon  the  production  of  such  certificate,  the  said  com- 
missioners shall  give  an  order  upon  the  county  treasurer  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  premium  or  premiums  provided  by  this  act ;  and  it  shall 
be  the  further  duty  of  the  magistrate,  alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace 
taking  the  affidavit,  provided  in  the  second  section  of  this  act,  to  file 
the  same  forthwith,  or  cause  the  same  to  be  filed,  in  the  office  of  the 
commissioners  of  the  county,  and  upon  filing  the  same,  the  said  mag- 
istrate, alderman  or  justice  of  the  peace  shall  receive  from  the  county 
stock,  the  sum  of  twenty  cents,  in  full  compensation  for  all  services 
under  this  act. 

-  Quite  early  in  1886,  the  correspondence  of  the  Board  developed 
the  fact  that  there  existed  among  farmers,  taxpayers  and  the  several 
county  officers  of  the  State,  a  widespread  dissatisfaction  at  the  work- 
ings and  effect  of  the  law.  It  also  was  evident  that  in  some  one  of  its 
many  forms,  this  act  would  be  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  present 
Legislature,  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  deemed  it  advisable  to 
collect  all  possible  data  on  either  side  of  the  question,  and  place  it  in 
such  a  form  as  would  be  readily  available  when  wanted.  As  a  step 
in  this  direction,  a  circular  was  prepared  and  sent  to  every  board  of 
county  officers  in  the  State,  asking  for  information  upon  the  following 
points,  viz : 

u  1.  The  total  amount  of  bounty  actually  paid  from  each  county 
treasury  up  to  November  1,  1886. 

"  2.  The  effect  (in  the  opinion  of  the  officers)  of  the  repeal  of  the 
law  so  far  as  it  affects  Hawks  and  Owls. 

k'  3.  The  effect  of  the  repeal  of  the  whole  law. 

"  Answers  to  the  first  question  gives  us  the  following  data,  which 
show  the  amount  paid  by  each  county  from  November  1,  1885.  to  No- 
vember 1,  1886.  A  number  of  the  replies  stated  that  the  existence  of 
the  act  did  not  become  generally  known  until  January  1,  1886,  and 
that  it  would  have  been  more  in  accordance  with  their  experience  to 
have  fixed  the  time  covered  from  January  1, 1886,  to  January  1, 1887. 
A  number  state  that  had  this  latter  date  been  fixed,  they  would  have 
increased  the  amounts  paid  fully  twenty  per  cent.,  and  in  many  cases 
more  was  paid  in  the  two  months  ending  December  31,  1886,  than  in 
any  six  preceding  months.  From  this  we  are  inclined  to  suppose 
that  it  will  be  perfectly  safe  to  increase  the  amounts  given  below  fully 
twenty  per  cent.,  in  order  to  cover  the  total  amount  paid  by  each 
county.  The  reports  give  the  following  as  the  amounts  actually  paid 
between  the  dates  given  in  the  circular,  viz.,  from  November  1,  1885, 
to  November  1.  1886  : 
Adams,  .  .  .'.  .  $3,80000  Blair, $80000 


Allegheny, 53  00 

Armstrong 1,255  30 

Beaver, 282  50 

Berks,      607  90 

5  BIRDS. 


Bradford, 1,666  55 

Bucks,      444  30 

Butler 833  75 

Cambria,      .....  1,181  10 


66 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Cameron,    

$130  00 

Lebanon 

$202  20 

Centre, 

1-827  05 

LeM^n 

267  50 

Chester, 

944  50 

Luzerne 

625  00 

Clearfield,  

1,500  00 

Lycoming, 

1,039  00 

Clinton,    

325  00 

McKean, 

1  023  57 

Columbia,   

900  00 

Mercer,    

2,319  70 

Crawford,    

8,022  90 

Mifflin, 

357  60 

Cumberland,       .... 
Dauphin,     

500  00 
450  00 

Montgomery,      .... 
Northampton 

85  20 
381  60 

Elk,      
Erie  

350  00 

2,746  00 

Northumberland,  .    .    . 
Perry 

566  70 
1  140  25 

Fayette, 

650  00 

Schuylkill 

450  00 

Forest,      

350  00 

Somerset, 

1  600  00 

Franklin,     

967  00 

Sullivan 

300  00 

Fulton,            .    . 

700  00 

Suscj  uehanna 

1  200  00 

Greene,    

1,200  00 

Tioga, 

1  169  00 

Huntingdon, 

2,000  00 

Union,          ... 

410  00 

Indiana,  .    . 

$1,251  00 

Venango 

952  60 

Juniata,   ....... 

584  50 

Warren, 

1  893  25 

Lackawanna,  
Lancaster,    
Lawrence,    

311  50 
715  10 
535  90 

Washington,   
Wyoming,   

727  50 
800  00 

"  The  answers  to  the  second  and  third  queries  (the  effect  of  the  re- 
peal of  the  act  so  far  as  it  applies  to  Hawks  and  Owls,  and  its  total 
repeal)  were  answered  by  the  respective  county  officers  as  follows: 

"Replies  of  County  Commissioners. 

"Adams. — '  The  law  should  be  repealed  except  as  to  wolves,  foxes 
and  wildcats ;  the  repeal  as  to  Hawks  and  Owls  would  be  a  saving  to 
the  county  of  $2,500.' 

"Armstrong. — 'Repeal  the  whole  act.' 

"Allegheny. — '  So  far  as  this  county  is  concerned,  its  repeal  would 
not  affect  the  number  destroyed.' 

"  Beaver. — ;  The  commissioners  think  that  the  whole  act  should  be 
repealed.' 

u  Berks. — '  Our  opinion  is  that  the  whole  act  should  be  repealed.' 

"  Bucks — '  Think  that  the  portion  as  to  hawks  and  owls  should  be 
repealed ;  the  balance  of  the  act  should  remain  as  it  now  is.' 

u  Bradford — '  In  the  opinion  of  our  county  commissioners,  hawks 
and  owls  are  more  beneficial  to  farmers  than  detrimental,  but  they 
are  of  the  opinion  that  the  whole  act  should  be  repealed  for  the  fol- 
lowing reasons : 

"  1.  It  encourages  hunting  as  an  occupation. 

"  2.  Because  the  motives  of  self-interest  will  prompt  the  destruction 
of  all  these  animals  found  doing  damage. 

"  3.  Because  of  the  drain  upon  the  treasury/ 

"  Blair. — '  The  general  impression  is  that  the  act  should  stand  as  it 
now  is;  there  is  no  doubt  that  it  is  beneficial  in  our  county  and  moun- 
tain districts.  The  effect  of  repealing  the  whole  act  would  be  very 
injurious,  both  to  crops,  domestic  and  wild  game.  The  law,  as  a 
whole,  meets  with  general  approval.  The  expense  for  the  first  year 
seems  to  be  rather  burdensome,  but  in  the  future  it  will  be  much  less. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  •  '•! 

There  were  some  three  hundred  and  fifty  foxes  killed  since  the  law 
went  into  effect ;  and  thus  it  will  be  a  short  time  until  every  destruc- 
tive and  noxious  animal  will  be  exterminated.  What  is  true  with  re- 
gard to  the  fox  is  also  true  in  relation  to  the  others  named  in  the  act.' 

"  Butler. — *  The  act  as  a  whole  should  stand  as  it  is ;  that  portion 
relating  to  hawks  and  owls  should  not  be  repealed.' 

"  Cambria. — *  We  favor  the  repeal  of  the  whole  law,  and  especially 
that  portion  referring  to  hawks  and  owls/ 

"  Cameron. — '  The  law  should  be  repealed  so  far  as  it  refers  to  minks, 
hawks  and  owls.  It  has  a  tendency  to  encourage  a  certain  class  of 
men  who  devote  their  entire  time  to  hunting.' 

u  Centre. — '  We  believe  the  act  ought  to  be  repealed  as  to  hawks  and 
owls.  The  effect  of  repealing  the  whole  act  would  be  a  saving  cf 
thousands  of  dollars  to  the  tax-payers  annually.  There  would  be 
about  as  many  of  the  destructive  mammals  and  birds  killed  if  the  act 
was  repealed,  and  by  persons  whose  duty  it  is  to  protect  their  property. 
We  emphatically  favor  repealing  the  entire  act  relating  to  bounties 
on  scalps.' 

"  Chester. — w  The  opinion  of  the  county  commissioners  and  farmers 
generally  is  that  the  portion  of  the  act  referring  to  hawks  and  owls 
should  be  repealed.  As  to  repealing  the  whole  act,  there  is  a  differ- 
ence of  opinion.  Many  do  not  favor  the  repeal  as  to  foxes,  minks  and 
weasels.  We  have  paid  bounties  on  the  following :  Six  hundred 
and  sixty  six  hawks,  sixty  owls,  two  hundred  and  eight  minks,  two 
hundred  and  forty-eight  weasels,  and  one  hundred  and  seven  foxes.' 

u  Clarion. — *  We  believe  that  the  entire  act  should  be  repealed.  Its 
repeal  would  be  a  benefit  to  the  tax-payers,  and  no  disadvantage  to 
the  farmers.' 

u  Clearfield. — '  Two-thirds  of  the  amount  has  been  paid  upon  hawks 
and  owls;  minks,  hawks  and  owls  should  be  abandoned;  wolves, 
wild-cats  and  foxes  should  be  retained/ 

"  Clinton. — c  Think  there  might  be  a  bounty  on  wolves,  wild-cats 
and  minks ;  would  be  satisfied  with  the  repeal  of  the  whole  act/ 

u  Columbia. — '  Repeal  it  as  to  owls,  as  they  feed  on  mice,  etc.  The 
bounty  should  be  continued  on  hawks,  as  they  feed  mainly  upon  poultry. 
Repealing  the  whole  act  would  have  no  injurious  effects;  the  foxes 
would  be  killed  in  this  county  just  the  same.  Weasels  destroy  rats, 
mice,  etc.  Those  who  are  injured  by  minks  would  kill  them  just  the 
same  without  the  law.' 

*k  Crawford. — '  The  commissioners  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  whole 
law  should  be  repealed  at  the  earliest  possible  moment.  The  com- 
missioners are  all  farmers,  and  they  consider  the  destruction  of  these 
mammals  and  birds  a  great  damage  to  the  farmers ;  they  are  the 
farmers'  best  friends.' 

*'  Cumberland. — c  We  do  not  see  that  our  county  will  receive  any 
benefit  by  continuing  in  effect  any  part  of  the  act,  and  the  repeal  of 
the  entire  act  will  relieve  the  county  of  an  unnecessary  and  unwar 
ranted  expense.' 

11  Dauphin. — 4  The  repeal  of  the  act  would  not  affect  the  destruction 
of  hawks  and  owls,  as  farmers,  for  self-protection,  would  destroy  all 
they  possibly  could.  Except  as  to  wolves  and  foxes,  we  think  the 
law  should  be  repealed.' 

u  Elk. — "  Repeal  the  whole  act ;  there  would  be  just  as  many  killed/ 


68  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

u  Erie. — '  It  is  our  unanimous  opinion  that  the  entire  act  should  be 
repealed ;  it  is  burdensome  and  inimical  to  the  best  interests  of  the 
farming  community,  and  a  useless  expenditure  of  the  county  money." 

a  Fayette. — '  No  complaints  from  the  people  at  large.  Much  trouble 
to  the  county  officers  with  the  necessary  papers,  etc.' 

u  Forest. — '  It  would  be  wise  to  repeal  the  act  as  far  as  it  refers  to 
hawks,  owls  and  minks.' 

a  Franklin. — '  The  act  ought  to  be  repealed.  Twenty-five  wild-cats, 
four  hundred  and  twenty-five  foxes,  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  minks, 
eighty-three  weasels,  six  hundred  and  seventy-eight  hawks  and  sixty- 
eight  owls.' 

u  Fulton. — *  Our  opinion  is  favorable  to  continuing  the  law  as  it 
now  is.' 

u  Greene. — '  Repeal  the  whole  act,  or  at  least  that  portion  referring 
to  hawks  and  owls.' 

"  Huntingdon. — '  The  law  of  1885  should  be  repealed,  and  if  any 
law  is  retained  it  should  be  the  same  as  the  old  law,  having  the  orders 
directed  to  the  county  commissioners  instead  of  to  the  county  treas- 
urers. It  makes  considerable  extra  work  for  the  commissioners'  clerk, 
and  often  puts  persons  entitled  to  an  order  to  great  inconvenience  to 
have  it  signed  by  the  county  commissioners  in  order  to  get  the  money, 
as  the  commissioners  in  a  majority  of  the  counties  only  meet  once 
each  month.  A  majority  of  the  people  in  the  agricultural  districts  of 
this  county  would  oppose  a  repeal  of  the  act.' 

•'  Indiana. — '  Our  opinion  is  that  the  bounty  should  be  taken  off 
everything  mentioned  in  the  act  of  June  23,  1885,  and  an  act  passed 
to  pay  a  bounty  for  every  skunk  killed.' 

"  Juniata.—*'  The  entire  act  should  be  repealed.' 

u  Lackawanna. — '  We  think  that  the  whole  act  should  be  repealed, 
as  it  is  a  nuisance,  especially  so  far  as  it  refers  to  hawks  and  owls.' 

"  Lancaster. — '  The  repeal  of  the  act  would  have  a  good  effect  so  far 
as  our  county  is  concerned.' 

"  Lawrence. — c  It  is  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  board  that  the 
whole  act  should  be  repealed,  believing  that  the  law  is  entirely  un- 
necessary so  far  as  our  county  is  concerned.  We  have  not  heard  one 
farmer  in  the  county  approve  it,  but  many  of  them  condemn  it.  Its 
repeal  is  earnestly  requested  by  all  who  have  any  knowledge  of  its 
workings.' 

k'  Lebanon. — '  The  commissioners  think  that  the  part  of  the  law  re- 
ferring to  owls  and  hawks  should  be  repealed  by  all  means.  Aside 
(from  the  above  owls  and  hawks),  we  pay  very  little  bounty,  as  foxes 
and  other  animals  are  not  sufficiently  numerous  to  affect  our  county.' 

u  Lehigh. — '  Repeal  the  whole  act  if  it  can  be  done  ;  if  not,  then  re- 
peal that  portion  referring  to  hawks  and  owls,  by  all  means.' 

^Ly coming. — 'Its  repeal  would  disappoint  the  farmers  in  this 
county.  In  their  opinion,  instead  of  a  repeal,  skunks  or  pole-cats 
should  be  added.' 

fc'  McKean. — '  Think  that  the  whole  act  should  be  repealed,  or  at 
least  that  part  referring  to  hawks  and  owls.' 

u  Mercer. — '  We  are  radically  in  favor  of  the  repeal  of  the  whole 
act,  and  in  this  we  are  supported  by  the  sentiment  of  the  entire  farm- 
ing community  of  our  county.' 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  69 

"  MiMin. — '  We  favor  the  repeal  of  that  portion  which  relates  to 
hawks  and  owls,  and  leaving  the  remainder  as  it  now  is.' 

••  Montgomery. — 'The  repeal  of  that  portion  relating  to  hawks  and 
owls  would  be  good.' 

"  Northampton. — '  We  are  not  in  favor  of  repealing  the  act,  and 
prefer  it  as  it  now  stands.' 

..  perry. — <•  The  repeal  of  the  law  would  be  worse  than  useless.  The 
money  already  paid  in  would  be  thrown  away.  In  the  future,  fewer 
mammals  and  birds  will  be  found  and  destroyed ;  the  number  will 
gradually  decrease  each  year.' 

'"  Schuylkill. — '  The  repeal  or  non-repeal  of  the  law  is  immaterial 
to  us.' 

*;  tiusquehanna. — 'Favorable  to  a  repeal  of  the  act,' 

•;  Tioga. — '  The  act  referred  to  is  a  nuisance,  and  should  be  repealed 
as  soon  as  possible.' 

"  Union. — 'The  commissioners  recommend  the  repeal  of  the  whole 
bill,  except  as  to  foxes.' 

"  Venango. — '  We  are  in  favor  of  the  repeal  of  the  whole  act,  be- 
lieving that  it  would  give  entire  satisfaction  to  the  tax-payers  of  our 
county.' 

;  Warren. — '  Repeal  the  whole  act  by  all  means.' 

"  Washington. — '  It  is  the  opinion  of  the  commissioners  that  the 
only  damage  by  hawks  and  owls  is  the  destruction  of  our  game  birds, 
which  is  only  felt  by  hunters;  on  the  other  hand,  by  the  destruction 
of  mice  and  other  small  vermin,  they  are  beneficial  to  the  farmer. 
The  repeal  of  the  whole  act  would  be  beneficial  to  our  farmers.' 

u  ^Wyoming. — '  The  effect  of  the  repeal  would  be  good.' 

"  A  number  of  the  commissioners  have  appended  to  their  reports  a 
list  of  the  number  of  each  kind  of  mammal  or  bird  upon  which  bounty 
has  been  paid.  As  indicative  of  the  relative  proportion  of  the  boun- 
ties upon  each,  we  give  the  following  : 

-  Chester.— Hawks,  666;  owls,  60;  minks,  20S  ;  weasels,  248,  and 
foxes  107. 

^Franklin. — Hawks,  678;  owls,  68;  wild-cats,  25;  foxes.  425; 
minks,  155,  and  weasels,  83. 

a  Several  of  the  commissioners  state  that  the  premiums  upon  hawks 
and  owls  constitute  more  than  fifty  per  cent,  of  the  total  amount 
paid,  while  several  of  the  commissioners  call  attention  to  the  fact  that 
wolves  are  enumerated  in  the  title,  but  are  not  provided  for  in  the 
body  of  the  bill. 

"  In  addition  to  the  collection  of  data  in  this  direction  the  ornithol- 
ogist of  the  board.  Dr.  B.  H.  Warren,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  also  had 
his  attention  directed  to  the  actual  results  of  the  effect  of  the  law  : 
First,  as  it  relates  to  hawks  and  owls,  and,  second,  as  a  whole.  The 
data  which  was  collected  by  him  is  partially  shown  in  an  article  in 
another  portion  of  this  report,  and  in  a  lecture  delivered  at  the  an- 
nual meeting  of  the  board  in  January  last. 

*•  As  a  condensation  of  a  large  amount  of  correspondence  upon  this 
subject,  which  has  reached  the  office  of  the  board  during  the  past  year, 
we  give  the  following  as  covering  the  main  points : 

"  The  act  should  be  repealed  because — 

"  1.  It  causes  a  drain  upon  the  treasuries  of  the  respective  counties 
which  is  not  warranted  by  the  results  produced. 


70  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

k4  2.  Hawks  and  owls,  by  the  destruction  of  insects,  confer  a  bene- 
fit which  is  much  more  than  an  offset  for  the  poultry  destroyed  by 
them. 

"  3.  Increased  duties  are  imposed  upon  county  officers,  for  which 
no  additional  compensation  has  been  provided. 

"4.  In  a  number  of  cases  county  officers  have  been  imposed  on, 
and  bounties  illegally  drawn. 

u  5.  It  encourages  a  certain  class  to  follow  hunting  as  a  means  of 
livelihood,  and  to  the  exclusion  of  other  labor. 

"  6.  Self-interest  would  lead  to  the  destruction  of  nearly  as  many 
of  these  noxious  animals  and  birds. 

"  7.  The  repeal  of  the  act  will,  by  the  increase  of  the  number  of 
hawks,  cause  greater  destruction  of  field  mice,  which  destroy  large 
amounts  of  clover  and  clover  roots  each  year. 

"  8.  The  payment  of  bounties  for  any  purpose  is  based  upon  wrong 
principles,  and  should  be  discouraged. 

"  The  act  should  not  be  repealed  because — 

w'  1.  This  being  the  first  year  of  its  action,  the  total  amount  paid  will 
be  greatly  in  excess  of  that  of  any  subsequent  year,  and  owing  to 
the  increased  scarcity  each  year,  the  amount  paid  will  be  annually 
less. 

u  2.  By  a  repeal  the  good  effects  of  bounties  already  paid  would  be 
practically  lost. 

"•  3.  The  destruction  of  these  birds  and  mammals  protects  game. 

u  4.  All  laws  are  liable  to  abuse  and  violation,  and  this  one  is  no 
exception  to  the  general  rule. 

"•  5.  The  effect  of  a  continuance  of  the  law  as  it  now  is  will  be  to 
increase  the  production  of  poultry  and  decrease  its  price." 

From  letters  kindly  sent  by  the  commissioners  of  the  several  coun- 
ties hereafter  named,  I  am  enabled  to  show  part  of  the  animals  on 
which  bounty  was  paid  for  a  period  of  some  six  months,  i.  e.*  from 
January  1,  1886,  to  July  1,  1886.  From  reliable  informants  I  find 
that  the  u  Scalp  Act "  was  not  generally  known  to  be  in  existence 
until  about  January  1,  1886  : 

Allegheny. — i  u  cat "  owls. 

Armstrong. — 167  hawks  ;  49  owls,  u  also  quite  an  amount  for  foxes, 
minks  and  weasels.'1 

Adams. — "  We  have  paid  since  the  first  of  October,  1885,  to  July  3, 
1886,  for  1,716  hawks,  402  owls,  or  $858.00  for  hawks,  and  $201.00  for 
owls;  total,  $1,059.00.  The  premiums  on  weasels,  minks  and  foxes 
are  about  one-third  of  the  above.  A  bad  feature  about  the  act  is  the 
apparent  manner  in  which  the  counties  are  imposed  upon,  in  farming 
hawks,  owls,  foxes,  etc." 

Bucks. — 138  hawks ;  16  owls. 

Bradford. — Total  amount  paid  for  all  animals  from  January  8, 1886, 
to  August  1,  1886,  inclusive,  $996.00.  "  One-half  for  hawks  and  owls, 
balance  for  weasels,  minks  and  foxes." 

Blair.— 123  hawks ;  13  owls. 

Beaver. — 25  hawks;  12  owls. 

Clarion. — 165  hawks ;  20  owls. 
Centre  . — 119  hawks  ;  26  owls. 
Cameron. — 3  hawks  ;  2  owls. 
Clinton.- — 34  hawks  ;  8  owls. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  71 

Crawford* — i;  Bounty  account  not  kept  so  as  to  show  how  many  of 
each  kind  paid  for ;  the  first  five  months  they  were  very  equally  di- 
vided, but  in  May  and  June  hawks,  weasels  and  owls  predominated ; 
hawks  leading  the  list.  We  paid  the  first  bounty  on  a  fox  November 
1885,$1.00;  December,  $275.90;  January,  1886.  $279.20;  February, 
$182.00;  March,  $207.00;  April,  $236.40 ;  May,  $347.60;  June,  $1,- 
079.00;  total,  $2,608.10,  including  justices'  fees." 

Chester. — 1885—11  hawks;  6  minks;  5  weasels;  1  fox.  1886 — 
from  January  1  to  December  1,  inclusive,  666  hawks ;  60  owls ;  107 
foxes ;  208  minks ;  248  weasels.  1887— from  January  1  to  March  18, 
inclusive,  289  hawks;  79  owls  ;  84  minks  ;  7  foxes  ;  199  weasels. 

Delaware. — 3  hawks ;  3  foxes. 

Erie. — 114  hawks ;  225  owls  ;  107  foxes.  "  It  is  rapidly  on  the  in- 
crease ;  one-fifth  of  the  whole  number  has  been  within  the  last  two 
weeks."  This  letter  was  dated  July  13,  1887. 

Fayette. — 278  hawks ;  80  owls ;  82  foxes  ;  24  minks  ;  6  wild-cats. 

Forest.— 110  foxes;  37  hawks;  owls  2. 

Franklin.— In  1885,  24  wild-cats  ;  278  foxes ;  97  minks  ;  22  hawks ; 
9  weasels ;  2  owls.  In  1886,  from  January  1  to  July  1,  9  wild-cats ; 
287  ioxes ;  76  minks  ;  132  hawks  ;  22  weasels  ;  30  owls. 

Huntingdon. — 64  owls  ;  347  hawks;  56  minks;  38  weasels;  362 
foxes;  12  wild-cats. 

Indiana. — 350  foxes ;  250  weasels ;  300  hawks  ;  150  owls ; 

Juniata. — 150  hawks ;  70  foxes  ;  20  owls. 

Lackaioanna. — 70  foxes;  30  hawks;  5  weasels;  7  wild-cats;  25 
minks. 

Lycoming. — 700  hawks  and  owls ;  250  foxes.  u  We  pay  about 
$115.00  per  month  for  destroying  the  above-named  animals." 

MiMn. — 71  hawks  ;  14  owls  ;  17  weasels  ;  14  minks. 

Montour.—^  Paid  for  all  animals  $161.40." 

Mercer. — *4  Our  people  did  not  become  apprised  of  the  passage  of 
the  act  to  which  you  refer  until  some  time  after  its  approval,  and  as  a 
result  we  did  not  have  any  certificates  presented  until  after  the  first 
of  December,  1885.  Since  that  time  we  have  paid  out  $1,300.00,  and 
of  this  amount  fully  $1,000.00  has  been  for  hawks  and  owls,  mostly 
hawks  ;  have  not  paid  for  more  than  10  or  12  foxes." 

McKean. — 17  wild-cats;  137  foxes;  115  minks;  120  hawks:  81 
owls ;  22  weasels. 

Montgomery. — 42  hawks  ;  8  foxes ;  3  owls. 

Pike. — 32  hawks ;  4  owls  ;  63  foxes  ;  9  weasels  ;  14  minks  ;  4  wild- 
cats. 

Perry. — i65  hawks  ;  owls,  62 ;  foxes,  453  ;  130  minks  ;  52  weasels. 
"  Killed  during  1885  (December)  and  to  date,  July  6,  1886." 

Somerset. — 14  wild-cats;  69  owls;  410  hawks;  250  weasels ;  215 
minks;  270 foxes.  Magistrates'  lees,  $129.75. 

Sullivan. — 16  hawks  and  owls ;  49  foxes. 

xquehanna. — In  1885, 19  foxes  ;  4  minks  ;  5  weasels  ;  2  ha,wks  ; 
4  owls.  January  1  to  July  5,1886,  foxes,  217;  minks,  171;  weasels, 
83 ;  hawks,  223  f  owls,  55. 

Union. — Hawks,  $43.40;  owls,  $12.60;  minks,  $21.00;  weasels, 
$11.60;  fees  included. 

Venango. — 126  hawks ;  28  owls ;  102  foxes. 

In  connection  with  the  above    I  give  the  additional  facts      Centre 


72  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

county  for  the  year  1886  paid  $1,529.00  as  follows  :  1,356  skunks  at 
50  cents ;  377  foxes ;  383  hawks  ;  172  weasels  ;  57  owls ;  13  wild-cats; 
712  scalp  affidavits  at  20  cents.  From  the  large  number  of  skunks 
returned  it  would  appear  that  this  county  has  a  "  special  act,"  which 
allows  bounty  for  these  animals.  Delaware  county,  on  December  22, 
1886,  had  paid  bounty  on  3  foxes  ;  22  hawks  and  one  weasel.  Perry 
county  for  1886  paid  for  foxes,  minks  weasels  and  wild-cats  $468.85, 
and  for  hawks  and  owls  $760.60.  Chester  county  for  1886  paid 
$1,159.30  for  827  hawks,  108  owls,  231  minks,  334  weasels,  111  foxes 
and  $288.30  for  affidavits.  The  largest  amount  of  bounty  was  paid  by 
Crawford  county,  which  was  forced  to  make  an  outlay  of  over  ten 
thousand  dollars,  a  large  portion  of  which  was  for  hawks  and  owls. 
In  conclusion  I  might  add  that  by  the  enforcement  of  this  unjust  leg- 
islative act  the  countytreasuries,  in  a  period  of  about  eighteen  months, 
were  depleted  to  the  extent  of  nearly  $100,000,  of  which  sum,  prob- 
ably, not  less  than  $65,000  were  paid  for  the  destruction  of  hawks  and 
owls.  Agriculturists,  naturalists  and  others  engaged  in  the  protection 
of  these  birds  are  under  great  obligations  to  the  able  Chairman  of  the 
Senate  Agricultural  Committee,  Hon.  A.  D.  Harlan,  of  Chester 
county,  Pa.  Senator  Harlan,  after  being  in  receipt  of  numerous  reso- 
lutions passed  by  farmers'  clubs,  institutes  and  grange  organizations 
throughout  this  Commonwealth,  when  waited  upon  by  members  of  the 
State  Agricultural  Board  and  a  committee  of  naturalists,  and  being 
convinced  that  the  preservation  of  raptorial  birds  was  of  utility  to  the 
farmer  as  well  as  gratifying  to  the  scientist,  at  once  gave  his  careful 
attention  to  the  matter,  and  by  his  earnestness  and  industry  in  his 
committee  and  in  the  body  of  which  he  is  a  member,  did  very  much 
to  secure  the  repeal  of  this  pernicious  statute. 


ORDER  RAPTOEES.  BIRDS  OF  PREY. 

SUBORDER  SARCORHAMPHI.     VULTURES. 
FAMILY  CARTHARTID-ffi.     AMERICAN  VULTURES. 

GENUS  CATHARTES.     ILLIGER. 
325.  Cathartes  aura  (LINN). 

Turkey  Vulture;  Turkey  Buzzard. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Entire  plumage  brownish-black,  darkest  on  the  back  and  tail  above,  and  with  a 
purplish  lustre  ;  many  feathers  have  pale  borders  ;  bill  white  ;  feet  pinkish  ;  head 
and  neck  in  living'bircl  bright  red  ;  iris  grayish  brown  ;  plumage  commencing  on 
the  neck  with  a  circular  ruff  of  projecting  feathers;  head  and  upper  part  of  neck 
naked,  or  with  a  few  scattering  hair-like  feathers,  and  with  the  skin  wrinkled  ;  nos- 
trils large,  oval,  communicating  with  each  other  ;  tail  rather  long,  rounded. 

Young. — Quite  similar  to  adult,  but  plumage  generally  is  lighter  in  color ;  bill  and 
skin  on  head  and  neck  are  quite  dark  ;  the  naked  portions  of  the  head  and  neck,  in 
some  specimens,  is  of  a  bluish  color. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  73 

Nestlings.— Bare  skin  of  head  nearly  white  ;  body  covered  with  white  down : 
length  about  30  inches:  extent  of  wings  about  72  inches;  wing  about  25;  tail  12 
inches. 

Hab. — Temperate  North  America,  from  New  Jersey,  Ohio  Valley,  Saskatchewan 
region  and  Washington  Territory,  southward  to  Patagonia,  casual  northward  on  the 
Atlantic  coast  to  Maine. 

This  well  known  bird  is  found  in  Pennsylvania,  particularly  in  the 
southern  counties,  at  all  seasons,  but  during  the  summer  months  is 
much  more  plentiful  than  at  other  times.  The  Turkey  Buzzard  usually 
rears  its  young  in  woods  or  thickets,  mostly  near  streams  of  running 
wat  er.  It  makes  little  or  no  effort  to  construct  a  nest ;  the  eggs — never 
more  than  two  in  number,  and  occasionally  only  one — are  deposited, 
generally  in  a  slight  concavity  in  the  ground  protected  by  shelving  or 
overhanging  rocks.  The  eggs  are  yellowish  white,  spotted  with  differ- 
ent shades  of  brown  and  purple,  and  measure  about  2f  inches  in 
length  by  nearly  2  inches  in  breadth.  It  is  stated  that  this  species 
sometimes  breeds  in  Pennsylvania  as  early  as  the  last  week  in  March. 
I  have  found  nine  nests  in  Chester  and  Delaware  counties  during  the 
past  five  years ;  of  this  number  seven  were  taken  late  in  April  or 
early  in  May,  and  all  contained  fresh  eggs.  The  two  remaining  nests, 
found  in  June,  contained  downy  young.  I  am  informed  that  these 
birds,  in  Lancaster  and  York  counties,  along  the  Susquehanna  river, 
are  annually  to  be  found  breeding  in  small  communities  of  a  dozen 
or  twenty  individuals.  Mr.  Gentry,  who  has  frequently  discovered 
them  breeding  in  rocky  caverns  along  the  Susquehanna,  remarks  that 
he  has  found  several  nests  within  a  space  of  one  hundred  yards.  This 
bird  will  resort  for  several  consecutive  seasons  to  a  favorite  nesting 
place,  and  occasionally  when  its  eggs  are  taken  will  lay  a  second  time 
in  the  same  nest.  The  Turkey  Vulture  is  very  numerous  in  the 
Southern  States  where  it  resides  all  the  year,  but  in  the  Eastern 
United  States  north  of  Pennsylvania  it  is  said  to  be  quite  rare  as  a 
resident.  Two  young  which  I  took  from  the  nest  and  kept  in  captivity 
until  full  grown  became  exceedingly  time.  These  birds  often  when 
feeding  and  invariably  is  approached  by  a  stranger,  would  utter  a  loud 
hiss,  the  only  sound  which  this  species,  as  well  as  other  of  the  Ameri- 
can Vultures,  is  known  to  make.  They  fed  chiefly  on  fresh  meat, 
and  also  devoured  with  apparent  relish  earth-worms,  crickets,  grass- 
hoppers and  other  large  insects ;  oftentimes  they  also  eat  pieces  of 
bread,  cake  and  particles  of  apples  or  pears  which  were  thrown  before 
them.  The  Turkey  Buzzard,  in  its  natural  state,  according  to  Audu- 
bon,  sucks  the  eggs  and  deveurs  the  young  of  Herons  and  other  birds. 
I  have  never  known  them  to  disturb  either  the  eggs  or  young  of  other 
birds,Hbut  have  observed  that  they  subsist  almost  wholly  on  carrion. 
The  benefits  which  these  scavengers  render  are  too  well  known  to  need 
any  comment. 


74  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

SUBOKDER  FA  LOOSES.  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAG-LKS,  ETC. 

FAMILY  FALCONID-ffi.     FALCONS,  ETC. 
SUBFAMILY  ACCIPITRIN^I.     BUZZARDS,  HAWKS,  ETC. 

GENUS  CIRCUS.     LACEPEDE. 
331.  Circus  hudsonius   (LINN). 

Marsh  Hawk;  Harrier;  Bog-trotter. 

DESCRIPTION.    (Plate  13.} 

Dimensions. — Total  length  of  female,  19  to  21  inches;   extent  of  wings  about  47 
inches  ;  wing  about  15§ ;  tail  about  10  inches.     Male  smaller. 
Hab. — North  America  in  general,  south  to  Panama. 

The  Marsh  Hawk  is  quite  plentiful  during  the  spring  and  autumn 
in  Pennsylvania.  Its  nests  and  eggs  are  said  to  have  been  found  in 
the  meadows  near  Philadelphia;  .also  in  Delaware  county,  and  like- 
wise along  the  Susquehanna  river.  As  a  native  it  is  rare  in  this 
region.  I  have  observed  the  Marsh  Hawk  only  as  a  passing  visitor, 
most  numerous  in  the  fall;  frequenting,  during  its  sojourn  with  us, 
the  extensive  and  grassy  meadow-lands,  chiefly  about  the  large 
streams.  In  the  mountainous  portions  of  this  State,  as  well  as  the 
highlands,  this  bird  is  seldom  met  with. 

When  flying  this  species  can  easily  be  distinguished  from  other 
hawks  by  the  white  upper  tail  coverts,  so  conspicuous  in  the  females 
and  immature  birds,  or  those  usually  met  with.  The  old  male,  rare 
and  seldom  found  in  this  section,  can  be  recognized  by  the  bluish-white 
plumage. 

According  to  Mr.  Gentry  *  the  nest  is  commonly  situated  in  the  midst 
of  a  swamp  or  a  low  meadow,  where  there  is  a  dense  growth  of  vegeta- 
tion and  is  composed,  externally,  of  small  sticks,  for  a  ground  work, 
on  which  is  placed  a  superstructure  of  dried  grasses,  within  which 
there  is  sometimes,  though  rarely,  a  lining  of  feathers.  The  same 
writer  states  that  the  eggs  are  four  or  five  in  number,  and  while  the 
eggs  of  the  same  nest  seldom  display  any  perceptible  difference  in 
their  markings,  some  specimens  are  a  dull  white  with  a  greenish  tinge, 
and  destitute  of  spots  ;  others  have  a  bluish  or  greenish  ground  color, 
with  irregular  blotches  of  light  lilac  or  lavender.  The  eggs  are  de- 
scribed as  broadly  oval  in  contour,  with  nearly  symmetrical  extrem- 
ities and  averaging  1.85  inches  in  length  and  1.43  inches  in  width. 

FOOD. 
Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  these  hawks   rarely,  if  ever,  prey 


Life-Histories  of  the  Birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania.    Vol.  II. 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  13. 


/.  Male;    4.   female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  75 

upon  any  kind  of  game  except  sometimes  an  occasional  Reed  bird, 
gunners,  who  so  industriously  search  over  the  swamps,  never  fail  to 
destroy  every  Marsh  Hawk  which  comes  within  range  of  their  deadly 
weapons. 

Marsh  Hawks  never,  to  my  knowledge,  disturb  poultry,  but  subsist- 
mainly  on  field  mice,  other  small  quadrupeds,  frogs,  large  insects  and 
sometimes,  though  not  generally,  small  wild  birds.  In  writing  of  the 
food-habits,  etc.,  of  this  species  Nuttall  says  :  *"  It  frequents  chiefly, 
open,  low  and  marshy  situations,  over  which  it  sweeps  or  skims  along 
at  a  little  distance  usually  from  the  ground,  in  quest  of  mice,  small 
birds,  frogs,  lizards  and  other  reptiles,  which  it  often  selects  by  twi- 
light as  well  as  in  the  open  day  ;  and  at  times,  pressed  by  hunger,  it 
joins  the  owls,  and  seeks  out  its  prey  even  by  moonlight.'' 

In  fourteen  examinations  made  by  myself,  seven  hawks  had  only 
field  mice  in  their  stomachs  ;  three,  frogs  ;  two,  small  birds  (warblers) ; 
one,  few  feathers,  apparently  of  a  sparrow  (Melospiza)  and  fragments 
of  insects;  one,  large  number  of  grssshoppers  with  a  small  quantity 
of  hair,  evidently  that  of  a  young  rabbit. 


GENUS  ACCIPITER.     BRISSON. 
332.  Accipiter  velox  (Was.) 

Sharp-Shinned    Hawk  ;  Partridge  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  14.} 

\  large  female  of  this  species  measures  about  14  inches  in  length  by  26  inches  in 
extent.  The  male  is  smaller.  In  adult  birds,  especially  the  males,  the  plumage  of 
the  upper  parts  is  bluish-gray,  quite  dark  on  top  of  head.  Iris  in  adult,  reddish 
orange,  in  young,  light  yellow. 

Hob. — North  America  in  general,  south  to  Panama. 

This  extremely  daring  and  spirited  little  Hawk  is  one  of  the  most 
abundant  of  our  North  American  species.  In  Pennsylvania  during; 
the  early  spring,  autumn  and  winter  it  is  quite  plentiful,  being  fre- 
quently met  with  in  the  mountainous  and  heavily  wooded  districts,  as 
well  as  the  cultivated  and  rich  agricultural  regions.  It  is  a  native, 
but  as  such,  is  somewhat  rare.  I  have  taken  two  nests,  both  built  in 
low  cedar  trees ;  these  nests  were  entirely  constructed  of  small  twigs, 
and  were  loosely,  but  firmly,  made.  The  cavity  of  one  nest  was  quite 
superficial,  but  that  of  the  other  was  well-formed.  The  eggs — each 
nest  contained  five — are  deposited  about  the  first  of  May.  The  eggs, 
nearly  spherical,  are  white  or  bluish-white,  marked  with  large  and 
irregular  splashes  or  blotches  of  brown,  and  measure  about  1.46  by 
1.16  inches.  Gentry,  a  close  observer  and  facile  writer,  remarks  in 

*  Ornithology  of  the  United  States  and  Canada,  by  Thomas  Xuttall.    2  vols.     Published  1832. 


76  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

his  "  Life -Histories  of  Birds,"  that  the  u  eggs,  in  some  instances,  are 
laid  on  consecutive  days,  but  we  have  positive  proofs  that  sometimes 
a  single  day  is  intermitted,  and  at  other  times,  even  two  and  three 
days  intervene  between  each  deposit."  In  one  of  my  nests  I  found 
two  days  to  intervene  after  the  deposition  of  each  of  three  eggs,  and 
the  fifth  ovum  was  deposited  after  an  intervention  of  three  days. 
Gentry  has  found  them  breeding  in  the  deserted  nest  of  the  common 
grey  squirrel.  Mr.  J.  Hoopes  Matlack,  of  West  Chester,  informs  me 
he  found  a  pair  breeding  in  an  old  crow's  nest ;  such  sites,  however, 
Gentry  advises  us,  are  rarely  chosen.  It  is  said  this  species  will 
sometimes  nidificate  on  a  ledge  or  rock  or  hollow  and  decaying  tree- 
limbs.  One  nest,  which  I  had  the  opportunity  of  observing  from  its 
early  commencement,  was  built  by  the  united  labor  of  both  birds, 
which  occupied  a  period  of  seven  days.  Gentry,  who,  doubtless,  has 
had  a  more  extensive  experience,  gives  three  or  four  days,  according 
to  the  style,  as  the  time  requisite  for  the  construction  of  the  nest. 
Various  writers  assert  that  dry  grass,  leaves,  moss,  etc.,  aid  in  the 
make-up  of  the  nests ;  such,  no  doubt  is  the  case,  but  as  previously 
stated,  I  have  found  sticks  and  twigs  to  solely  constitute  the  nests. 
Incubation  is  alternately  engaged  in  by  both  birds,  which,  while  they 
show  great  solicitude  for  their  offspring,  repelling  all  bird  intruders 
with  the  most  determined  zeal  and  pugnacity,  will,  when  molested 
by  man,  show  marked  timidity,  and  leave  to  his  desecration  their  nest 
and  its  contents.  The  young  are  carefully  watched  and  fed  by  the 
parents,  chiefly  on  a  diet  of  small  birds — sparrows  principally — until. 
Gentry  says,  they  are  about  six  weeks  old,  when  they  are  able  to  pro- 
vide food  for  themselves. 

FOOD*. 

According  to  Nuttall,  "this  species  feeds  principally  upon  mice, 
lizards,  small  birds,  and  sometimes  even  squirrels.  In  thinly  settled 
districts,  this  hawk  seems  to  abound,  and  proves  extremely  destructive 
to  young  chickens,  a  single  bird  having  been  known  regularly  to  come 
every  day  until  he  had  carried  away  between  twenty  and  thirty." 
The  same  writer  relates  a  circumstance,  where  he  was  one  day  con- 
versing with  a  planter,  when  one  of  these  hawks  came  down  and 
without  any  ceremony  or  heeding  the  loud  cries  of  the  housewife, 
who  most  reluctantly  witnessed  the  robbery,  snatched  away  a  chicken 
directly  before  them.  k'  In  the  fall,  when  the  small  birds  gather  in 
favored  spots  about  the  streams,  this  little  falcon  is  found  in  their 


*Dr.  Coues  says :  "  It  preys  chiefly  upon  small  birds  and  quadrupeds,  captured  in  the  dashing- 
manner  of  all  the  species  of  this  group,  and,  like  its  small  allies,  feeds  to  some  extent  upon 
insects."  Since  the  advent  and  alarming  increase  of  the  English  Sparrow  (Passer  domesticiis  \  it  is 
not  unusual  for  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  to  pay  occasional  visits  to  towns  and  villages  where  he 
should  be  heartily  welcomed  for  the  destruction  he  causes  among  these  feathered  pests. 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  14. 


nffta 


i.  Mule:    2.  Fe-male. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


77 


midst  and  selecting  his  victims  as  whim  or  appetite  urges.  They  often 
choose  the  turtle  doves,  and  swooping  down  in  the  midst  of  a  flock 
gathered  about  a  pool  of  water,  almost  invariably  contrive  to  seize 
one  of  the  birds  ere  the  surprise  caused  by  the  suddenness  of  the 
attack  is  over. — Henshaw. 


N,, 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Sept.    7,  1878,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Small  bird  (Melospiza). 

2 

Sept.  14,  1878,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Quail. 

3 

Nov.  20,  1878,    . 

Newark,  Delaware, 

Chicken. 

4 

Feb.   17,  1879,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Snow  bird  (Junco). 

f, 

May     3,  1879,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa,, 

Mice  (Arvicolo). 

6 

Sept,  10,  1879,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Sparrow  (Passer  domesticus)  and 

portions  of  field-  mice. 

7 

May  30,  1880,    . 

Delaware  county,  Pa.,  . 

Chicken. 

8 

June   2,  1880,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Chicken. 

9 

June   3,  1880,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Chicken. 

10 

Aug.  23,  1881,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Grasshoppers  and  beetles. 

11 

Oct.    16,  1881,     . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Quail. 

12 

Oct.    29,  1881,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Quail  and  fragments  of  beetles. 

13 

June  22,  1881,    . 

Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  . 

Chicken. 

14 

Oct.    —  ,  1881,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Meadow  Lark  (Sturnella). 

15 

Dec.    13,  1882,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   . 

Song  Sparrow  (Melospiza). 

16 

April  3,  1882,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Robin  (Merula). 

17 

Sept.  20,  1884,    . 

Chester  county.  Pa.,  .    . 

Sparrow  (Spizellapusillcf). 

18 

Oct,      3,  1886,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .   . 

Sparrow  (  Passer  domesticus).. 

19 

Nov.  26,  1886,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .   . 

Song  Sparrow  (M.  fasciata). 

333.  Accipiter  cooperi  (BONAP.). 


Cooper's  Hawk. 


DESCRIPTION. 


.1  (hilt.  —  Upper  part  bluish-gray  ;  sides  of  head  and  breast  also  slightly  marked  with 
same  color  ;  top  of  head  much  darker,  in  some  specimens  nearly  black  ;  feathers  of 
occiput  when  pushed  aside  white  at  base  ;  throat  and  under  tail  coverts  white,  the 
former  with  blackish  longitudinal  lines  ;  other  parts  transversely  barred  with  light 
red  and  white;  tail  rounded,  quite  long,  tipped  with  white  and  with  four  bands  of 
brownish-black  ;  bill  blackish  ;  cue,  legs  and  feet  yellow  ;  iris  reddish-amber. 

Ynn-iifi.  —  Umber-brown  above,  more  or  less  spotted  with  white  and  rusty-brown  ; 
white  spots  on  scapular  feathers  conspicuous  ;  lower  parts  white  with  longitudinal 
spots  of  brown  ;  tail  tipped  with  white  and  branded  as  an  adult  ;  bill  bluish  horn- 
color  ;  tarsi  and  cue  yellow  or  greenish  yellow  ;  iris  bright  yellow. 

Dimensions.  —  Female:  total  length,  18  to20inches  ;  extent,  about  b6  inches  ;  wing, 
10  to  11  ;  tail,  about  8£.  Male  :  16  to  18  inches  ;  extent,  about  30  ;  wing,  9  to  10  ;  tail, 
about  8  inches. 

i.  —  North  America  in  general,  south  to  southern  Mexico. 


This  much  detested  and  commonly  called  "  Long-tailed  Chicken  or 
Pheasant  Hawk,"  is  a  common  native;  it  is  resident,  but  is  not  near 
so  plentiful  during  the  winter  months  as  throughout  the  late  spring, 
summer  and  early  autumn. 

For  impudent  daring  this  species,  without  doubt,  ranks  preeminent 
among  the  raptorial  genera.  Almost  every  farmer  or  poultry  raiser 


78  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

can  reiterate  instances  of  where  he  or  she  was  the  victim  of  pillage  by 
this  bold  and  audacious  marauder.  In  the  spring  of  '78  a  friend  pre- 
sented me  with  a  Cooper's  Hawk  which  he  had  caught  in  a  steel  trap, 
but  not  until  he  and  his  mate  had  destroyed  some  fifty  young  chickens. 
During  one  day  they  killed  twelve.  "This  marauder  sometimes 
attacks  birds  far  superior  to  itself  in  weight,  and  sometimes  possessed 
of  a  courage  and  strength  equal  to  its  own.  As  I  was  one  morning 
observing  the  motions  of  some  Parakeets,  near  Bayou  Sara,  in  Louisi- 
ana, in  the  month  of  November,  I  heard  a  Cock  crowing  not  far  from 
me  and  in  sight  of  a  farm-house.  The  Hawk  next  moment  flew  past 
me,  and  so  close  that  I  might  have  touched  it  with  the  barrel  of  my 
gun  had  I  been  prepared.  Not  more  than  a  few  seconds  elapsed  before 
I  heard  the  cackling  of  the  hens  and  the  war  cry  of  the  Cock,  and  at 
the  same  time  observed  the  Hawk  rising,  as  if  without  effort,  a  few 
yards  in  the  air,  and  again  falling  toward  the  ground  with  the  rapidity 
of  lightning.  I  proceeded  to  the  spot  and  found  the  Hawk  grappled 
to  the  body  of  the  Cock,  both  tumbling  over  and  over,  and  paying  no 
attention  to  me  as  I  approached.  Desirous  of  seeing  the  result,  I  re- 
mained still  until,  perceiving  that  the  Hawk  had  given  a  fatal  squeeze 
to  the  brave  Cock,  I  ran  to  secure  the  former ;  but  the  marauder  had 
kept  a  Hawk's  eye  upon  me,  and,  disengaging  himself,  rose  in  the  air 
in  full  confidence.  The  next  moment  I  pulled  trigger  and  he  fell 
dead  to  the  ground." — Audubon. 

Like  the  Sparrow  Hawk  this  bird  has  been  tamed  to  come  at  call. 

Nidification  commonly  is  begun  about  the  20th  of  April,  and  lasts 
for  a  period  of  from  three  to  five  days.  Occasionally  this  bird  will 
deposit  its  eggs  in  a  deserted  crow's  nest.  Gentry,  in  his  u  Life 
Histories  of  Birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania,"  mentions  an  instance  of 
where  the  new-formed  nest  of  the  crow  was  taken  after  having  driven 
its  rightful  occupants  away.  I  believe,  however,  they  prefer  to  erect 
their  own  nests,  and,  from  my  observation,  am  quite  positive  they 
only  appropriate  the  nests  of  other  birds  when  their  own  have  been 
destroyed.  Gentry  observes,  "  in  cases  where  other  nests  are  occu- 
pied, it  is  mainly  done  by  young  birds,  or  those  of  indolent  habits." 
The  building  of  the  nest  is  the  conjoint  labor  of  both  birds.  It  is 
usually  built  in  a  thick  woods.  When  in  such  a  locality  is  mostly  low 
down,  yet,  when,  as  is  occasionally  the  case,  an  isolated  tree  is  se- 
lected as  the  nesting  site,  it  is  frequently  so  placed  as  to  render  it 
inaccessible  to  all  advances  of  the  oologist.  Externally  the  nest  is 
built  of  sticks,  varying  much  in  size.  It  is  generally  lined  with  the 
inner  layer  of  bark,  although,  frequently,  blades  of  grass,  feathers,  and 
leaves  enter  into  the  constrnction  of  the  interior.  While  certain 
writers  have  described  the  nest  as  broad,  with  but  a  slight  concavity, 
I  would  remark  that  such  statement  is  not  in  accord  with  my  obser- 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA.  79 

vations,  as  I  have  invariably  found'  the  concavities  to  be  well  marked. 
Dr.  Wood  states  :  "  That  the  nests  in  this  locality  (Connecticut)  are 
neatly  built,  very  symmetrical,  large  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the 
bird,  and  of  sufficient  depth  for  safety  to  the  eggs,  and  to  conceal  the 
occupants." 

The  eggs  measure  about  1.92  by  1.50  and  usually  number  from  three 
to  four,  although  it  is  not  a  rare  occurrence  to  find  five.  Their  color 
is  a  dull,  bluish -white.  Exceptional  sets  are  sometimes  taken  with 
numerous  and  unevenly  distributed  brown  or  reddish  spots.  A  gen- 
tleman of  my  acquaintance  once  took  four  eggs  from  a  nest  which 
were  void  of  spots.  The  female,  although  driven  off  when  the  first 
complement  was  taken,  made  in  the  same  nest  a  second  deposit  of 
four  eggs,  and,  strange  to  say,  the  last  were  all  spotted.  The  period 
of  incubation  is  given  by  Gentry  to  be  eighteen  days.  Although,  in 
this  particular,  my  observation  has  been  somewhat  limited,  I  am  fully 
persuaded  that  the  time  required  for  this,  likewise  other  of  our 
Rapacia,  is,  certainly,  three  weeks,  or  over.  The  young  leave  the 
nest  in  about  twenty-five  days ;  when  about  eight  or  nine  weeks  old 
they  are  able  to  provide  food  for  themselves;  to  this  time,  however, 
they  are  carefully  guarded  by  the  old  birds,  and  fed  almost  entirely 
on  a  diet  of  small  birds,  young  chickens,  and  some  few  insects. 

FOOD. 

Dr.  Coues  says  in  speaking  of  this  Hawk :  "  Possessed  of  spirit 
commensurate  with  its  physical  powers,  it  preys  upon  game  little  if 
any  humbler  than  that  of  our  more  powerful  Falcons.  It  attacks  and 
destroys  hares,  grouse,  teal,  and  even  the  young  of  larger  ducks,  in  the 
state  in  which  they  are  known  as  c  flappers,'  besides  capturing  the 
usual  variety  of  smaller  birds  and  quadrupeds.  It  occasionally  seizes 
upon  reptiles  or  picks  up  insects.  In  securing  its  prey  it  gives  chase 
openly  and  drives  down  its  quarry  with  almost  incredible  velocity." 
Dr.  Wood  writes  that  "it  is  bold  and  fearless,  often  driving  within  a 
few  rods  of  the  farmer  and  seizing  his  chickens,  which  it  carries  to  its 
young  or  devours  itself.  If  once  introduced  to  the  young  poultry, 
you  may  rest  assured  of  a  daily  call  until  all  are  gone,  unless  you  are 
fortunate  enough  to  secure  the  intruder.  It  sometimes  attacks  the 
full-grown  poultry  with  success.  A  gentleman  once  informed  me 
that  while  standing  by  his  wood-pile,  close  by  the  house,  one  of  these 
birds  dove  upon  a  full-grown  rooster,  within  six  or  eight  rods  of  him. 
The  fowl  ran  some  two  or  three  rods  and  dropped  dead.  The  Hawk 
soon  returned  to  devour  his  game,  as  it  was  too  heavy  for  him  to  carry 
away,  but  his  audacity  cost  him  his  life."  Such  exploits  as  these, 
however,  are  by  no  means  uncommon,  as  is  well-known  to  every  or- 


80  BIRDS  OF  PNNNSYLVANIA. 

nithologist  and  poultry-raiser."  *Dr.  Wood  further  says  :  "  Its  food 
consists  of  any  kind  of  game  that  it  can  capture,  often  attacking  and 
killing  birds  much  larger  than  itself.  Partridges,  quails,  pigeons,  and 
young  rabbits  constitute  no  inconsiderable  portion  of  its  bill-of-fare 
inland,  while  on  the  sea  coast,  teal,  young  ducks  and  many  of  the 
water  birds  satiate  its  rapacious  appetite."  Nuttall,  in  speaking  of 
the  dietary  of  this  Hawk,  says  :  "  His  food  appears  principally  to  be 
birds  of  various  kinds ;  from  the  sparrow  to  the  Ruffed  grouse,  all 
contribute  to  his  rapacious  appetite.  In  common  with  the  sharp- 
shinned  hawk,  his  depredations  among  domestic  fowls  are  very  de- 
structive." 

Of  the  thirty-four  birds  which  I  have  examined,  sixteen  showed  the 
food  taken  to  have  been  chickens ;  ten  revealed  small  birds — sparrows, 
warblers  and  meadow  larks — two,  quail ;  one,  bull-frogs ;  three,  mice 
and  insects  ;  two,  hair  and  other  remains  of  small  quadrupeds. 

334.  Accipiter  atricapillus  (WiLS.). 

American  Goshawk. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult. — Head  above,  neck  behind,  and  stripe  from  behind  the  eye,  black,  gener- 
ally more  or  less  tinged  with  ashy ;  other  upper  parts  dark  ashy-bluish  or  slate  color, 
with  the  shafts  of  the  feathers  black,  and  frequently  with  the  feathers  narrowly  edged 
with  black,  presenting  a  squamate  or  scale-like  appearance;  a  conspicuous  stripe  ' 
over  the  eye,  and  an  obscure  and  partially  concealed  occipital  and  nuchal  band, 
white  ;  entire  under  parts  mottled  with  white  and  light  ashy-brown  ;  every  feather 
with  a  longitudinal  line  of  dark-brown  on  its  shaft,  and  with  numerous  irregular 
and  imperfect  transverse  lines  or  narrow  stripes  of  light  ashy-brown,  more  distinct 
and  regular  on  the  abdomen  and  tibiae  ;  quills  brown,  with  bands  of  a  deeper  shade 
of  the  same  color,  and  of  ashy-white  on  their  inner  webs ;  tail  same  color  as  other 
upper  parts ;  under  surface  very  pale,  nearly  white,  and  having  about  four  obscure 
bands  of  a  deeper  shade  of  ashy-brown,  and  narrowrly  tipped  with  white  ;  under  tail 
coverts  white  ;  bill  dark  bluish  ;  cere  and  feet  yellow  ;  claws  black  ;  iris  yellowish. 

Young. — Entire  upper  parts,  including  head,  dark-brown,  with  the  feathers,  espe- 
cially on  the  head  and  neck  behind,  edged  and  spotted  with  light-reddish,  or  nearly 
white  ;  tail  light-ashy,  with  about  five  wide  and  conspicuous  bands  of  ashy-brown, 
and  narrowly  tipped  with  ashy-white ;  quills  brown,  writh  wide  bars  of  a  darker 
shade  of  the  same  color,  and  wide  bands  of  reddish-white  on  their  inner  webs  ;  under 
parts  white,  generally  tinged  with  yellowish,  and  frequently  with  reddish,  every 
feather  with  a  longitudinal  stripe  terminating  in  an  ovate  spot  of  brown  ;  sides  and 
tibiae  frequently  with  circular  and  lanceolate  spots  and  irregular  bands  of  the  same 
color,  the  latter  (tibiae)  generally  very  conspicuously  marked  in  this  manner  ;  under 
tail  coyerts  white,  with  a  few  large  lanceolate  spots  of  brown. 

Total  length,  female,  22  to  24  inches  ;  extent  about  46  ;  wing  about  14  ;  tail,  10^  to 
11  inches.  Male,  about  20  inches  ;  extent  about  43  ;  wing,  12.^  ;  tail,  9^  inches.  When 
flying,  this  species,  in  any  plumage,  is  easily  distinguished  by  its  large  size  and  long 
tail. 

Hab.—  Northern  and  eastern  North  America,  breeding  mostly  north  of  the  United 
States.  South  in  winter  to  the  Middle  States.  Accidental  in  England. 

*"The  Birds  of  Connecticut."  by  Wm.  Wood,  M.  D.,  is  the  title  of  a  series  of  valuable  papers 
published  about  1878-79  in  "  Familiar  Science,"  a  monthly  journal. 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA.  31 

The  Goshawk  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  a  rare  and  irregular 
•visitant,  during  excessively  severe  winters,  when  no  doubt  it  is  forced 
to  leave  the  boreal  regions,  its  chosen  habitat,  by  scarcity  of  food. 
Having  had  no  opportunity  of  studying  these  birds  in  life,  I  add  the  fol- 
lowing interesting  account  given  by  Audubon.  The  nest  described 
in  the  subjoined  quotation  was  found  in  the  Great  Pine  forest  of  this 
State.  u  The  flight  of  the  Goshawk  is  extremely  rapid  and  protracted. 
He  sweeps  along  the  margins  of  the  fields,  through  the  woods,  and  by 
the  edges  of  ponds  and  rivers,  with  such  speed  as  to  enable  him  to 
seize  his  prey  by  merely  deviating  a  few  yards  from  his  course ;  as- 
sisting himself  on  such  occasions  by  his  long  tail,  which,  like  a  rudder, 
he  throws  to  the  right  or  left,  upwards  or  downwards,  to  check  his 
progress,  or  enable  him  suddenly  to  alter  his  course.  At  times  he 
passes  like  a  meteor  through  the  underwood,  where  he  secures  squir- 
rels and  hares  with  ease.  Should  a  flock  of  wild  pigeons  pass  him 
when  on  these  predatory  excursions,  he  immediately  gives  chase,  soon 
overtakes  them,  and,  forcing  his  way  into  the  very  center  of  the  flock, 
scatters  them  in  confusion,  when  you  may  see  him  emerging  with  a 
bird  in  his  talons,  and  diving  towards  the  depth  of  the  forest  to  feed 
upon  his  victim.  When  travelling,  he  flies  high,  with  a  constant  beat 
of  the  wings,  seldom  moving  in  large  circles  like  other  hawks ;  and, 
when  he  does  this,  it  is  only  a  few  times  in  a  hurried  manner,  after 
which  he  continues  -his  journey. 

"  Along  the  Atlantic  coast,  this  species  follows  the  numerous  flocks 
-of  ducks  that  are  found  there  during  the  autumn  and  winter :  and 
greatly  aids  in  the  destruction  of  mallards,  teals,  black  ducks,  and 
other  species,  in  company  with  the  Duck  Hawk.  It  is  a  restless  bird, 
apparently  more  vigilant  and  industrious  than  many  other  hawks,  and 
it  seldom  alights  unless  to  devour  its  prey ;  nor  can  I  recollect  ever 
having  seen  one  alighted  for  many  minutes  at  a  time  without  having 
a  bird  in  its  talons.  When  thus  engaged  with  its  prey,  it  stands  nearly 
upright:  and,  in  general,  when  perched,  it  keeps  itself  more  erect 
than  most  species  of  hawks.  It  is  extremely  expert  at  catching  snipes 
on  the  wing;  and  so  well  do  these  birds  know  their  insecurity,  that, 
on  its  approach,  they  prefer  squatting  to  endeavoring  to  escape  by 
flight. 

i;  When  the  passenger  pigeons  are  abundant  in  the  western  country, 
the  Goshawk  follows  their  close  masses,  and  subsists  upon  them.  A 
single  hawk  suffices  to  spread  the  greatest  terror  among  their  ranks ; 
.and  the  moment  he  sweeps  towards  a  flock,  the  whole  immediately 
dive  into  the  deepest  woods,  where,  notwithstanding  their  great  speed, 
the  marauder  succeeds  in  clutching  the  fattest.  While  travelling 
along  the  Ohio,  I  observed  several  hawks  of  this  species  in  the  train 
of  millions  of  these  pigeons.  Towards  the  evening  of  the  same  day, 
6  BIRDS. 


82  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

I  saw  one  abandoning  its  course  to  give  chase  to  a  large  flock  of  Crow 
Blackbirds,  then  crossing  the  river.  The  hawk  approached  them  with 
the  swiftness  of  an  arrow,  when  the  blackbirds  rushed  together  so 
closely  that  the  flock  looked  like  a  dusky  ball  passing  through  the 
air.  On  reaching  the  mass,  he,  with  the  greatest  ease,  seized  first  one, 
then  another  and  another,  giving  each  a  squeeze  with  his  talons,  and 
suffering  it  to  drop  upon  the  water.  In  this  manner  he  had  procured 
four  or  five  before  the  poor  birds  reached  the  woods,  into  which  they 
instantly  plufnged,  when  he  gave  up  the  chase,  swept  over  the  water 
in  graceful  curves,  and  picked  the  fruits  of  his  industry,  carrying  each 
bird  singly  to  the  shore.  Reader,  is  this  instinct  or  reason  ? 

"  The  nest  of  the  Goshawk  is  placed  on  the  branches  of  a  tree,  near 
the  trunk  or  main  stem.  It  is  of  great  size,  and  resembles  that  of  our 
crow,  or  some  species  of  owl ;  being  constructed  of  withered  twigs  and 
coarse  grass,  with  a  lining  of  fibrous  strips  of  plants  resembling  hemp. 
It  is,  however,  much  flatter  than  that  of  the  crow." 

The  fierce  nature  of  this  species  is  well  shown  in  the  concluding 
paragraphs  from  the  pen  of  my  highly  esteemed  friend,  L.  M.  Turner* : 
"  The  tracts  preferred  by  this  Goshawk  are  the  narrow  valleys,  borders 
of  streams,  and  the  open  tundra,  which  it  constantly  scans  for  Ptar- 
migan and  small  mammals;  the  Lemming  forming  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  its  food.  It  will  sit  for  hours  in  some  secluded  spot,  awaiting 
a  Ptarmigan  to  raise  its  wings.  No  sooner  does-  its  prey  rise  a  few 
feet  from  the  earth  than  with  a  few  rapid  strokes  of  the  wing,  and  a 
short  sail,  the  Goshawk  is  brought  within  seizing  distance ;  it  pounces 
upon  the  bird,  grasping  it  with  both  feet  under  the  wings,  and  after 
giving  it  a  few  blows  on  the  head  they  both  fall  to  the  ground ;  often 
tumbling  several  feet  before  they  stop,  the  hawk  not  relinquishing  its 
hold  during  the  time.  During  the  mating  season  of  the  Ptarmigans 
many  males  suffer  death  while  striving  to  gain  the  affection  of  the  fe- 
male, for  as  he  launches  high  in  air,  rattling  his  hoarse  note  of  defi- 
ance to  any  other  male  of  its  kind  in  the  vicinity,  the  Goshawk  darts 
from  a  patch  of  alders  or  willows,  or  from  the  edge  of  the  neighbor- 
ing bluff,  and  with  a  dash  they  come  to  the  ground,  often  within  a  few 
yards  of  the  terror-stricken  female,  who  now  seeks  safety  in  flight  as 
distant  as  her  wings  will  carry  her.  1  have  seen  this  hawk  sail  with- 
out a  quiver  of  its  pinions,  until  within  seizing  distance  of  its  quarry, 
and  suddenly  throw  its  wings  back,  when  with  a  clash  they  came  to- 
gether, and  the  vicinity  was  filled  with  white  feathers,  floating  peace- 
fully through  the  air.  I  secured  both  birds,  and  found  the  entire  side 
of  the  Ptarmigan  ripped  open. 

fct  On  another  occasion  I  shot  a  fine  individual  as  it  rose  from  a  small 

*  Contributions  to  the  Natural  History  of  Alaska,  results  of  investigations  made  chiefly  in  the 
Yukon  district  and  the  Aleutian  islands ;  conducted  under  the  auspices  of  the  U.  S.  Signal  Ser- 
vice, extending  from  May,  1874,  to  August,  1881,  by  L.  M.  Turner. 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  15. 


i.  Male;   2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  83 

clump  of  willow,  to  which  I  had  approached  unobserved  by  the  bird. 
It  had  been  devouring  a  Ptarmigan,  which  it  had  secured  but  a  little 
while  before.  The  flesh  of  the  bird  was  yet  warm,  though  nearly  all 
devoured.  The  Goshawk  was  only  wing-tipped  with  shot  and  proved 
to  be  quite  vicious,  seizing  my  boot  with  its  talons  arid  striving  to 
grasp  my  hand  with  its  beak.  The  bird  was  so  quick  that  I  had  to 
call  the  assistance  of  a  native  to  detach  the  claws  from  my  clothing. 
Upon  skinning  the  bird  I  found  its  crop  to  be  full  of  the  flesh  of  the 
bird  it  was  eating  when  I  flushed  it.  I  am  under  the  impression  that 
the  Goshawk  is  not  able  to  fly  with  the  weight  of  a  Ptarmigan  in  its 
claws.  It  is  a  resident  of  the  interior  and  comes  to  the  coast  quite 
early  in  spring,  as  is  attested  by  the  fact  that  I  killed  one  specimen 
April  28,  and  a  fine  example  was  brought  to  me  from  the  mouth  of 
the  Uphun  (part  of  the  northern  Yukon  Delta),  where  it  was  killed 
April  25.  It  was  a  female,  and  contained  an  egg  quite  ready  for  ex- 
trusion, and  had  already  received  a  pale  bluish- green  color  on  the 
shell.  The  bird  was  shot  while  on  the  nest,  placed  in  a  small  poplar 
tree.  The  nest  was  composed  of  sticks  and  a  few  blades  of  grass. 
The  size  was  quite  bulky,  measuring  nearly  two  feet  in  extreme  diam- 
eter, and  having  but  a  slight  depression.  The  bird  was  extremely 
vicious,  choosing  to  remain  on  the  nest  rather  than  desert  it.  The 
male  attacked  the  native,  and  tore  his  cotton  shirt  into  shreds  and 
snatched  the  cap  from  the  head  of  the  astonished  man,  who  was  so 
surprised,  at  the  impetuosity  of  the  attack,  that  he  struck  wildly  at 
the  bird  with  his  arms,  and  before  he  could  reload  his  gun  the  bird 
took  flight.  This  Goshawk  breeds  wherever  found  in  summer,  placing 
its  nest  in  a  tree  or  shrub,  or  even  on  the  ledge  of  a  cliff,  inaccessible 
to  foxes  and  enemies." 

GENUS   BUTEO.     CUVIER. 
337.    Buteo  borealis  (GMEL.). 

Red-tailed  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION.     {Plate  15.) 

The  adult  is  easily  recognized  by  the  red  tail.  The  tail  in  young  birds  is  usually 
ashy-brown,  with  about  ten  darker  bands.  Tail  in  both  old  and  young  is  generally 
tipped  with  white.  Breast  of  adult  mostly  spotted  or  marked  with  reddish-brown  ; 
in  the  young,  breast  is  pure  white  enclosed  by  numerous  dark  markings.  Length 
of  male,  19  to  22  inches  ;  extent  of  wings,  41  to  47  inches.  Female — length,  22  to  24 
inches  ;  extent,  51  to  55  inches.  From  a  careful  examination  of  over  one  hundred  of 
these  Hawks,  I  have  found  that  they,  like  other  of  the  raptores,  not  only  vary  greatly 
in  the  markings  of  their  plumage,  but  also  show  marked  differences  in  the  color  of 
the  irides.  The  iris  of  the  adult,  though  usually  brown,  is  sometimes  both  brown 
and  yellowish.  In  immature  birds,  the  iris  is  commonly  straw  color,  but  sometimes 
it  is  nearly  white,  and  occasionally,  though  rarely,  is  brown  ;  in  other  specimens,  I 
have  seen  one-half  of  the  iris  brown  while  the  remainder  would  be  white  or  yel- 
lowish. In  immature  birds,  light  colored  irides  with  specks  of  brown  are  frequent. 

Hob. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  Great  Plains. 


84  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

This  Hawk — the  most  abundant  of  our  raptorial  birds — is  the  de- 
tested "  Hen  Hawk  "  of  the  farmer.  The  Red-tailed  Hawk  is  exceed- 
ingly shy  and  wary,  and  is  taken  with  difficulty,  unless  approached 
on  horse  back  or  in  a  sleigh  or  wagon.  Red-tailed  Hawks  in  their  fall 
migrations  are  gregarious.  One  clear,  cold  autumn  afternoon  in  1876, 
I  saw,  near  West  Chester,  a  flock  of  these  Hawks.  The  sky  was  des- 
titute of  clouds,  except  a  cumulus  stratum  directly  beneath,  and  ap- 
parently about  halfway  between  the  Hawks  and  the  earth.  In  the 
center  of  this  vapor  was  an  opening  of  sufficient  size  to  enable  me  to 
watch  the  gyrations  of  the  birds;  two  of  them  suddenly  separated 
from  the  main  body,  approached  each  other  screaming,  and  apparently 
in  great  rage.  They  descended  screaming,  and,  to  all  appearances, 
clinched  to  within  about  one  hundred  yards  of  the  earth,  when  they 
parted.  Evidently  neither  bird  had  received  much  injury,  as  they 
both,  after  taking  short  flights  across  the  meadow,  ascended  in  com- 
pany with  two  or  three  of  their  companions  that  had  accompanied 
them  part  way  down,  to  the  main  body.  Another  individual  closed 
his  wings  until  the  body  presented  a  triangular  outline,  descended 
with  almost  lightening-like  rapidity  to  the  top  of  a  sycamore,  where 
it  alighted,  and  remained  for  some  seconds  pluming  itself.  This  party 
of  Hawks,  after  performing  for  nearly  twenty  minutes,  these,  and  nu- 
merous other  aerial  antics,  continued  their  southern  flight.  Combats 
in  mid-air  are  quite  common  among  Red-tailed  Hawks.  I  have  re- 
peatedly witnessed  such  battles,  and  am  fully  convinced  that  in  the 
great  majority  of  cases  food  is  the  incentive  to  such  action.  Illustra- 
tive of  the  superior  vision  of  this  Hawk — and  the  same  applies  to 
other  of  the  Rapacia — the  following  is  given,  as  observed  by  the 
writer :  A  clear  morning  early  in  March,  I  saw  a  Red-tail  circling 
over  the  meadows ;  every  circle  took  him  higher  and  higher  in  the 
air,  until  at  an  altitude  where  he  appeared  no  larger  than  a  blackbird, 
he  stopped,  and  with  nearly  closed  wings,  descended  like  an  arrow  to 
a  tree  near  by  me ;  from  this  perch,  almost  the  same  instant  he  had 
alighted,  he  flew  to  the  ground  and  snatched  from  its  grassy  covert  a 
mouse.  The  momentum  with  which  this  bird  passed  through  the  at- 
mosphere produced  a  sound  not  very  unlike  that  of  the  rush  of  distant 
water.  This  species  when  wounded,  like  all  other  rapacious  birds,  will 
defend  itself  with  its  claws  and  bill  against  all  advances.  A  stick  or 
gun  barrel  presented  to  it,  when  crippled,  will  be  grasped,  and  the 
bird  can  be  carried  pendant  from  the  same  a  considerable  distance 
before  it  will  loose  its  hold.  With  such  tenacity  do  they  hold  on  that 
a  friend  of  mine  who  had  winged  one,  in  his  endeavors  to  capture  it 
alive,  had  the  bird  to  fasten  on  his  forearm  with  both  claws ;  to  relieve 
himself  he  was  obliged  to  take  out  his  penknife  and  sever  the  tendons 
of  both  legs. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  85 

Nest  building  generally  occurs  in  March  and  lasts  from  eight  to 
fifteen  days.  The  nest  is  built  in  the  woods,  commonly  on  a  large  oak 
or  hickory  tree.  A  pair  of  these  hawks  resorted  for  five  consecutive 
years  to  a  large  oak  tree  ( Quervus  tinctoria),  for  nesting  purposes,  in 
a  belt  of  timber  adjacent  to  the  far-famed  Deborah's  Rock,  East  Brad- 
ford township.  The  nest  is  a  rather  bulky  structure  ;  is  made,  exter- 
nally, of  sticks  and  twigs,  some  of  the  former  being  an  inch  in  thick- 
ness ;  internally,  it  is  lined  with  leaves  and  the  inner  layer  of  bark — 
usually  from  the  oak  and  chestnut  trees.  This  lining  of  bark  is 
frequently  torn  in  shreds. 

Certain  ornithologists,  Audubon  among  the  number,  have  found 
five  eggs  in  their  nests.  I  have,  however,  mostly  found  two,  and  on 
no  occasion  have  I  found  more  than  three  to  constitute  the  full  com- 
plement. The  eggs  vary  much  in  their  markings.  Their  ground  color 
is  a  dull  white  or  rusty  white,  marked  with  minute  brown  spots,  or 
with  large  purplish  dark-brown  blotches,  often  covering  the  greater 
part  of  the  egg.  Gentry  tells  us  :  "  The  eggs  vary  in  size,  even  in  the 
same  nest.  The  largest  measures  2.52  by  1.88  inches,  and  the  smallest 
2.10  by  1.72  inches.'7  Incubation  lasts  about  three  weeks.  Certain 
writers  claim  that  this  specie  will  boldly  defend  invasion  of  its  home 
on  the  part  of  man.  Such  may  have  been  the  experience  of  others, 
but  such  statement  is  the  reverse  of  my  experience.  I  have  taken 
both  eggs  and  young,  and,  as  yet,  I  have  encountered  no  opposition ; 
but  have  found  them  cowardly,  flying  away,  in  fact,  beyond  gunshot 
at  my  approach,  uttering  cries  of  distress,  and  seemingly  to  engage  in 
mutual  condolence  over  their  misfortune. 

FOOD. 

Doctor  Wood  says,  in  speaking  of  this  species,  "  In  their  bill  of 
fare,  snakes  form  quite  an  item  in  the  spring  and  summer  months, 
but  in  the  winter  months  the  wild  game  of  our  woods  and  the  poultry 
yard  satisfy  the  cravings  of  hunger.  When  capturing  snakes  they 
sometimes  '  wake  up  the  wrong  passenger.'  A  farmer  living  in  this 
vicinity,  while  putting  up  a  fence  around  his  pasture,  noticed  a  large 
Hawk  on  the  ground  some  forty  rods  from  him,  sometimes  rising  up 
two  or  three  feet  then  dropping  down.  Supposing  him  to  be  devour- 
ing some  game,  he  paid  but  little  attention  to  it  at  first,  but  from  it 
continuing  in  the  same  place,  and  keeping  up  the  same  maneuvering 
for  a  time,  his  curiosity  was  excited,  and  coming  near  the  bird  he  dis- 
covered that  the  tail  of  a  large  black  snake  was  coiled  around  the 
Hawk's  neck,  and  that  the  head  and  a  part  of  its  body  was  in  a  hole 
in  the  ground.  The  Hawk  was  nearly  exhausted.  With  a  blow  of 
his  axe  the  farmer  severed  the  snake,  and  brought  the  Hawk  to  his 
barn  where  he  kept  him  alive  for  some  time.  The  part  of  the  snake 


86  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

attached  to  the  bird  measured  three  feet,  which  was,  probably,  about 
one- half  its  length.  The  Hawk  evidently  seized  the  snake  when  he 
was  partly  in  his  hole,  and  was  unable  to  draw  him  out ;  and  when 
found  the  serpent  was  endeavoring  to  convince  the  would-be  captor 
that '  it  is  a  poor  rule  that  don't  work  both  ways.'  This  was  the  adult 
Red-tail  Hawk." 

During  the  breeding  season  they  frequently  hunt  together  for  food 
for  themselves  and  young,  "  and  if,  perchance,  they  spy  a  squirrel  on 
a  tree,  one  will  drive  it  while  the  other  poises  itself  ready  to  seize  it 
if  it  dodges  to  the  other  side  to  evade  the  grasp  of  the  first  Hawk. 
From  the  two  there  is  no  escape.  Grasping  it  firmly  by  the  neck,  the 
assailant  practically  demonstrates  the  possibility  of  garroting  its  vic- 
tim, when  the  ill-fated  squirrel  is  carried  to  the  eyry,  and  torn  to 
pieces  to  satiate  the  cravings  of  their  rapacious  young." —  Wood.  In 
speaking  of  the  food,  Gentry  remarks  substantially  as  follows :  They 
feed  principally  on  small  quadrupeds,  small  birds  and  reptiles,  and 
that  a  few  insects,  mostly  of  a  coleopterous  and  orthopterous  char- 
acter, are  eaten  by  way  of  variety.  "  The  food  of  the  young  consists 
of  grasshoppers  and  the  flesh  of  birds  and  of  small  quadrupeds  which 
are  taken  as  prey.  The  external  covering  is  removed,  and  the  flesh 
is  administered  in  small  bits." — Gentry.  "It  alights  on  the  borders 
of  clear  streams  to  drink — I  have  observed  it  in  such  situations — im- 
mersing its  bill  up  to  the  eyes,  and  swallowing  as  much  as  was  neces- 
sary to  quench  its  thirst  at  a  single  draught." — Audubon. 

Nuttall  says  that  when  straitened  for  food  it  is  fierce  and  predatory, 
prowling  around  the  farm,  will  now  and  then  seize  a  hen  or  chicken, 
which  it  snatches  by  making  a  lateral  approach.  He  further  observes 
that  these  depredations  on  the  farm  yard  happen,  however,  only  in 
winter.  "  They  are  frequently  seen  near  wet  meadows,  where  mice, 
moles  and  frogs  are  prevalent ;  and  also  feed  upon  lizards,  appearing, 
indeed,  often  content  with  the  most  humble  game." — Nuttall.  In 
consequence  of  limited  space  it  is  impracticable  to  give  in  detail  the 
result  of  dissections  which  I  have  made  of  this  species,  but  would 
state  briefly  that  my  examinations  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-three 
Red -tails  captured  in  Pennsylvania,  chiefly  in  Chester  county,  revealed 
in  one  hundred  and  twenty -eight,  principally  field-mice  (arvieola), 
and  other  small  quadrupeds,  also  some  few  small  birds ;  in  nine  of 
these  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  Hawks,  small  birds  were  present 
in  addition  to  the  quadrupeds.  Fourteen  had  fed  on. chickens;  six, 
small  birds — Meadow  Larks  and  Sparrows ;  six,  rabbits ;  three,  quail ; 
three,  red  squirrels ;  three,  mice  and  insects ;  three,  snakes ;  two, 
remains  of  skunk ;  two,  carrion ;  one,  ham  skin ;  one,  meat,  probably 
beef.  I  have  repeatedly  found  three  and  four  mice  in  the  viscera  of 
one  bird,  oftentimes  five  and  in  a  few  instances  as  many  as  seven  of 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  87 

these   destructive  little  rodents  were  obtained  from  the   crop  and 
stomach  of  one  Hawk. 


339.  Buteo  lineatus  (GMEL.). 

Red  Shouldered  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Adult.— Wing  coverts,  from  its  flexure  to  the  body,  fine  bright  rufous  ;  breast  and 
other  lower  parts  of  the  body  paler  orange  rufous,  many  feathers  with  transverse 
bars  and  spots  of  white,  which  predominate  on  the  abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts  > 
entire  upper  parts  reddish-brown  ;  on  the  head  mixed  with  rufous,  and  with  white 
spots  on  the  wing  coverts  arid  shorter  quills  and  rump  ;  quills  brownish-black,  with 
white  spots  on  their  outer  webs,  and  with  bars  of  a  lighter  shade  of  brown  and  of 
white  on  their  inner  webs ;  tail  brownish-black,  with  about  five  transverse  bands  of 
white  and  tipped  with  white  ;  bill  blue-black  ;  cere  and  feet  yellow  ;  iris  brown. 

Young. — Entire  under  parts  yellowish-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  and  oblong 
spots  of  dark-brown  ;  throat  dark-brown  ;  upper  parts  lighter  ashy-brown,  with 
many  partially  concealed  spots  and  bars  of  white;  quills  dark-brown,  with  wide 
transverse  bars  of  rufous  and  white  on  both  webs  ;  tail  ashy-brown,  with  numerous 
bands,  pale-brownish  and  rufous  white  ;  tail  beneath  silvery-white ;  legs  and  feet 
greenish-yellow. 

Total  length  :  Female,  21  to  23  inches ;  extent,  about  44  inches ;  wing,  14 ;  tail,  9 
inches.  Male,  18  to  20  inches  ;  extent,  about  40 ;  wing,  12  ;  tail,  8  inches. 

Hab. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  Texas  and  the  plains,  south  to  the  Gulf 
Coast  and  Maine. 

During  the  winter  these  Hawks  frequent  principally  the  large  water 
courses,  meadow-lands,  and  the  vicinity  of  ponds,  and  not  unfre- 
quently  an  individual  of  this  species  can  be  observed  on  its  perch 
overlooking  a  spring-head.  When  the  streams  and  meadows  are 
frozen,  I  have  noticed  that  they  especially  resort  to  such  localities  as 
last  named.  When  disturbed  from  its  perch  it  utters,  in  a  plaintive 
and  impatient  voice,  the  note,  keeo<  keeo.  Its  flight,  which  is  generally 
short,  is  graceful  and  very  owl-like.  This  Hawk,  like  its  relative,  the 
Red-tail,  may  be  observed  sitting  by  the  hour  on  some  favorite  tree 
or  stake  adjacent  to  swampy  or  boggy  ground,  watching  for  small 
quadrupeds  and  batraehians,  which  constitute  its  principal  fare.  Al- 
though this  species  is  a  native  in  this  State  it  has  never  been  my 
good  fortune  to  find  a  nest. 

From  '*  Birds  of  Connecticut,'-  by  Doctor  William  Wood,  the  follow- 
ing mention  of  the  nest,  eggs  and  habits  is  taken  : 

"  Nidification  commences  soon  after  their  arrival  from  the  south. 
Oviposition  usually  occurs  from  the  middle  of  April  to  the  first  of 
May.  In  one  instance  I  took  eggs  on  the  first  day  of  April  that  had 
been  incubated  at  least  a  week,  and  then,  again,  I  have  taken  them 
as  late  as  the  middle  of  May.  More  eggs  can  be  obtained  of  this  bird 
in  this  vicinity  than  of  any  other  of  our  Rapacia,  and  I  think  it  may 
safely  be  said,  all  others.  The  nest  is  usually  placed  in  the  fork  of  a 


88  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

high  tree  (the  bird  instinctively  seeking  safety  rather  than  any  par- 
ticular kind  of  a  tree),  and  consists  of  sticks  and  twigs,  resembling  the 
Crow's  nest,  though  generally  somewhat  larger  and  more  compactly 
built.  Period  of  incubation  about  three  weeks.  The  eggs  usually 
number  from  two  to  four,  more  commonly  three ;  in  one  instance  I 
found  six.  Of  some  thirty  sets  before  me,  there  is  a  great  diversity  of 
markings.  In  shape,  form  and  ground- work  they  are  all  alike,  but  in 
markings  quite  different.  They  are  about  the  size,  or  a  little  larger, 
than  the  eggs  of  the  domestic  fowl ;  of  a  broad,  oval  form,  granulated ; 
of  a  dusky-white  color,  very  slightly  inclined  to  blue  in  the  fresh  egg, 
with  one  or  more  very  large  reddish  brown  blotches  on  the  larger  end, 
interspersed  with  smaller  ones,  diminishing  in  size  and  number  as  they 
approach  the  smaller  end.  This  is  the  most  common  appearance  of 
the  egg.  I  have  taken  from  the  same  nest  eggs  handsomely  blotched 
and  white,  or  dirty- white  without  any  marks.  I  have  selected  four  sets 
for  measurement : 

No.  1,  long  diameter,  .    .  2.30 ;  short  diameter,  .    .  1.85 
"    2,     <*  "          .    .  2.15;      "  .    .  1.80 

"    3,     "  «          .    .  2.30;      "  "  .  1.80 

tk    4,     "  "          .    .  2.30;      "  '•          .    .  1.80 

u  During  the  courting  season  it  is  very  noisy,  sailing  around  in  circles 
with  its  mate,  and  filling  the  air  with  its  shrill  notes.  Their  mutual 
attachment  continues  through  life.  They  hunt  in  pairs.  The  male 
not  only  assists  in  incubation,  but  supplies  his  mate  with  food.  If 
approached  by  the  sportsman  while  sitting,  if  the  nest  is  low  and  ex- 
posed, the  female  will  fly  off  very  quietly  and  stealthily  long  before 
the  male  arrives  within  shot,  and  alight  at  some  distance.  If  the  nest 
is  high  up  she  will  draw  down  her  head,  thinking  herself  perfectly 
concealed  and  secure,  while  her  tail  invariably  projects  over  the  nest, 
giving  unmistakable  evidence  of  its  occupancy.  They  become  attached 
to  a  particular  piece  of  woods,  and  will  build  near  the  same  spot  for 
years,  if  not  killed,  and  will  even  continue  to  build  there  for  some 
time  if  their  eggs  are  annually  taken,  occasionally  rebuilding  an  old 
nest ;  according  to  my  observations  they  usually  prefer  a  new  one. 

FOOD. 

Dr.  Wood  says :  u  This  species  subsists  mostly  on  small  birds  and 
quadrupeds,  now  and  then  adding  to  their  bill  of  fare  a  snake."  Merriam 
says :  "  I  once  took  from  the  stomach  of  one  of  these  hawks  a  snake 
measuring  twenty-two  inches  in  length."  Wilson  informs  us  that  he 
has  taken  the  fragments  and  whole  carcasses  of  ten  frogs  of  various 
dimensions  from  the  crop  of  a  single  individual.  "If  not  successful 
in  obtaining  a  supply  of  frogs,  it  will  eat  the  flesh  of  dead  animals  or 
fowls,  apparently  with  a  good  relish." — Wood. 


Plate  1 6. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  89 

Nuttall  remarks  that  this  Hawk  lives  principally  on  frogs,  and 
probably  insects  and  cray-fish  in  the  winter.  Gentry  tells  us  the  food 
consists  of  small  quadrupeds  and  small  birds  generally,  reptiles  and 
many  insects,  and  that  the  food  of  the  young  consists  of  fragments  of 
quadrupeds,  besides  an  immense  number  of  young  grasshoppers  and 
beetles. 

In  my  examinations  of  fifty-seven  of  these  Hawks  which  have  been 
captured  in  Pennsylvania,  forty-three  showed  field-mice,  some  few 
other  small  quadrupeds,  grasshoppers  and  insects,  mostly  beetles; 
nine  revealed  frogs  and  insects ;  two,  small  birds,  remains  of  small 
mammals  and  a  few  beetles ;  two,  snakes  and  portions  of  frogs.  The 
gizzard  of  one  bird  contained  a  few  hairs  of  a  field-mouse  and  some 
long  black  hairs  which  appeared  very  much  like  that  of  a  skunk.  The 
bird  on  dissection  gave  a  very  decided  odor  of  pole-cat.  In  two  of  these 
Hawks,  shot  in  Florida,  I  found  in  one  portions  of  a*  small  catfish,  and 
in  the  other  remains  of  a  small  mammal  and  some  few  coleopterous 
insects 

343.  Buteo  latissimus  (WiLS.). 

Broad-winged  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  16,  Fig.  I.) 

Adult. — Entire  upper  parts  umber-brown  ;  feathers  on  the  occiput  and  back  of  the 
neck  white  at  their  bases ;  throat  white,  with  longitudinal  lines  of  brown  and  with 
a  patch  of  brown  on  each  side  running  from  the  base  of  the  lower  mandible  ;  breast 
with  a  wide  band  composed  of  large  cordate  and  sagittate  spots  and  transverse  bands 
of  reddish-ferruginous  tinged  with  ashy  ;  other  under  parts  white,  with  numerous 
sagittate  spots  of  reddish  on  the  flanks,  abdomen  and  tibiaB.  In  some  specimens,  the 
ferruginous  color  predominates  on  all  the  under  parts,  except  the  under  tail  coverts, 
and  all  the  feathers  have  large  circular  or  ovate  spots  of  white  on  both  edges  ;  under 
tail  coverts  white  ;  quills  brownish-black,  widely  bordered  with  white  on  their  in- 
ner webs  ;  tail  dark-brown,  narrowly  tipped  with  white,  and  with  one  wide  band  of 
white  and  several  narrower  bands  near  the  base  ;  bill,  dartt ;  feet,  yellow ;  iris, 
brown. 

Young, — Upper  parts  dull  umber-brown,  many  feathers  edged  with  fulvous  and 
ashy-white  ;  upper  tail  coverts  spotted  with  white,  under  parts  white,  generally 
tinged  with  yellowish,  and  having  longitudinal  stripes  and  oblong  and  lanceolate 
spots  of  brownish-black  ;  a  stripe  of  dark-brown  on  each  side  of  the  neck  from  the 
base  of  the  under  mandible  ;  tail  brown,  with  several  bands  of  a  darker  shade  of  the 
same  color,  and  ofwrhite  on  the  inner  webs,  and  narrowly  tipped  with  white  ;  length 
of  male  about  14  inches ;  extent  of  wings  about  32  ;  tail  about  7  inches ;  female, 
length  about  17  inches,  extent  about  38  ;  tail  about  1\  inches. 

Hab.— Eastern  North  America,  from  New  Brunswick  and  the  Saskatchewan  re- 
gion to  Texas  and  Mexico,  and  thence  southward  to  Central  America,  northern 
South  America,  and  the  West  Indies. 

Of  the  genus  Buteo,  in  this  section,  the  Broad  winged  is  the  least 
abundant.  It  is  a  native  and  resident.  The  movements  in  the  air  of 
this  Hawk  are  easy  and  beautifully  graceful.  When  in  quest  of  food, 
its  flight  is  in  circles.  At  times,  when  circling,  like  the  Sparrow 
Hawk,  it  will  stand  for  an  instant  beating  the  air,  and  then  descend 


90  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

with  great  velocity  upon  its  prey,  which  it  secures,  not  in  its  descent, 
but  as  it  is  on  the  rise.  I  have  on  more  than  one  occasion  witnessed 
this  species  take  aliment  in  the  way  described.  I  incorporate  it,  not- 
withstanding that  it  disagrees  with  certain  good  authority. 

Nest-building  takes  place  from  the  first  to  the  middle  of  May, 
and  the  four  nests  which  I  have  found  near  West  Chester  have  all 
been  located  in  high  trees  ;  three  in  hickory  trees,  the  other  in  an  oak. 
All  of  these  nests  were  over  fifty  or  sixty  feet  from  the  ground.  The 
nest  is  very  similar  to  that  of  the  Cooper's  Hawk ;  it  is  made  of  sticks, 
twigs,  leaves  and  rootlets,  lined  with  feathers  ;  one  I  found  lined  with 
bark.  The  complement  of  eggs  is  usually  four,  although  three  some- 
times is  the  full  set.  The  eggs  are  somewhat  larger  than  those  of  the 
Cooper's  Hawk,  with  a  dull  white,  grayish-ground  color,  with  brown- 
ish red  spots,  which  vary  in  size  from  specks  to  large  patches,  fre- 
quently confluent. 

This  Hawk  is  easily  captured,  appearing  quite  tame  and  unsuspi- 
cious. I  have  always  found  it  to  be  cowardly,  and  to  evince  no  dis- 
position to  repel  an  invasion  of  its  nest. 

Audubon  relates  the  following  circumstance,  which  came  under  the 
notice  of  himself  and  brother-in-law  while  out  on  a  tour  :  "  As  we 
crossed  a  narrow  skirt  of  woods  my  young  companion  spied  a  nest  on 
a  tree  of  moderate  height,  and,  as  my  eye  reached  it,  we  both  per- 
ceived that  the  parent  bird  was  sitting  in  it.  Some  little  consultation 
took  place,  as  neither  of  us  could  determine  whether  it  was  a  Crow's 
or  a  Hawk's  nest,  and  it  was  resolved  that  my  young  friend  should 
climb  the  tree,  and  bring  down  one  of  the  eggs.  On  reaching  the 
nest,  he  said  the  bird,  which  still  remained  quiet,  was  a  Hawk,  and 
unable  to  fly.  I  desired  him  to  cover  it  with  his  handkerchief,  try  to 
secure  it,  and  bring  it  down,  together  with  the  eggs.  All  this  was 
accomplished  without  the  least  difficulty.  I  looked  at  it  with  inde- 
scrible  pleasure,  as  I  saw  it  was  new  to  me,  and  then  felt  vexed  that 
it  was  not  of  a  more  spirited  nature,  as  it  had  neither  defended  its 
eggs  nor  itself.  It  lay  quietly  in  the  handkerchief,  and  I  carried  it 
home  to  my  father-in-law's,  showed  it  to  the  family,  and  went  to  my 
room,  where  I  instantly  began  drawing  it.  I  put  the  bird  on  a  stick 
made  fast  to  my  table.  It  merely  moved  its  feet  to  grasp  the  stick, 
and  stood  erect,  but  raised  its  feathers,  and  drew  in  its  head  on  its 
shoulders.  I  passed  my  hand  over  it  to  smooth  the  feathers  by  gentle 
pressure.  It  moved  not.  The  plumage  remained  as  I  wished  it.  Its 
eye,  directed  towards  mine,  appeared  truly  sorrowful.  I  measured 
the  length  of  its  bill  with  my  compass,  began  my  outlines,  continued 
measuring  part  after  part,  as  I  went  on,  and  finished  the  drawing  with- 
out the  bird  even  moving  once.  The  drawing  being  finished  I  raised 
i  he  window,  laid  hold  of  the  poor  bird,  and  launched  it  into  the  air, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  91 

when  it  sailed  off  until  out  of  my  sight,  without  uttering  a  single  cry, 
or  deviating  from  its  course." 

It  would  seem,  however,  that  the  disposition  of  this  bird,  under  cer- 
tain circumstances,  is  very  variable.  Mr.  A.  G.  Boardman,  of  Maine, 
who  has  found  several  nests,  and  secured  the  eggs,  finds  it  to  be  cour- 
ageous and  spirited.  A  man  whom  he  had  employed  to  obtain  a  nest, 
was  attacked  with  great  fury,  while  ascending  the  tree ;  his  cap  was 
torn  from  his  head,  and  he  would,  have  been  seriously  injured  if  the 
bird  had  not  been  shot.  Another  instance  is  mentioned  by  Dr.  Wood, 
where  this  Hawk  attacked  a  boy  climbing  to  her  nest,  fastened  her 
talons  in  his  arm,  and  could  not  be  removed  until  beaten  off  and  killed 
with  a  club. 

FOOD. 

Gentry  says :  u  The  food  of  this  species  consists  of  small  birds, 
small  quadrupeds,  reptiles  and  insects,"  "  When  skimming  athwart 
a  meadow  or  similar  situation,  it  moves  with  trifling  noise,  and  when 
it  espies  a  reptile  or  a  quadruped,  pounces  down  upon  it  with  the 
fleetness  of  an  arrow,  seldom  missing  its  aim,  and  bears  it  away  to  an 
adjoining  tree,  where  it  feasts  upon  its  still  quivering  flesh  with  self- 
complacency.  When  it  visits  the  farm-yard,  which  it  seldom  does, 
there  is  manifested  much  of  the  fearless  spirit  of  lineatus.  It  comes 
directly  to  the  spot  and  not  in  a  stealthy,  circuitous  manner,  after  the 
fashion  of  borealis,  alights  upon  the  summit  of  a  tall  tree,  singles  out 
its  victim  and  darts  down  upon  it,  bearing  it  away,  even  when  the 
proprietor  is  within  easy  distance.  The  coolness  and  audaciousness 
of  the  act,  for  the  time  being,  disconcert  the  actions  of  the  latter,'  and 
entirely  eclipse  his  presence  of  mind.  In  some  districts  young 
chickens  and  goslings  are  the  objects  of  these  visits  ;  but  with  us  tame 
pigeons  and  the  smaller  fowls." — Gentry. 

In  speaking  of  this  bird,  Dr.  Wood  says  :  "  Seldom,  if  ever,  does  it 
seize  its  prey  on  the  wing,  but  secures  it  mostly  on  the  ground,  sub- 
sisting on  frogs,  snakes,  mice  and  small  birds,  devouring  the  latter 
without  removing  the  feathers.  This  Hawk  in  its  habits  is  not  as  neat 
in  preparing  its  food  as  most  of  its  genus ;  holding  its  prey  with  both 
feet,  it  tears  and  eats  without  much  regard  to  cleanliness  or  feathers." 

In  twelve  specimens  examined  by  myself,  four  revealed  mice ; 
three,  small  birds  ;  four,  frogs ;  one,  killed  the  22d  of  May,  1882,  was 
gorged  with  cray-fish,  with  which  were  traces  of  coleopterous  insects. 


92  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


GENUS   ARCHIBUTEO.     BREHM. 
347 a.  Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis  (GMEL.). 

American  Rough-legged  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"Adult  male  and  female :  Too  variable  in  plumage  to  be  concisely  described.  In 
general,  the  whole  puinage  with  dark  brown  or  blackish  and  light  brown,  gray,  or 
whitish,  the  lighter  colors  edging  or  barring  the  individual  feathers ;  tendency  to 
excess  of  the  whitish  on  the  head,  and  to  the  formation  of  a  dark  abdominal  zone  or 
area  which  may  or  may  not  include  the  tibise ;  usually  a  blackish  anteorbital  and 
maxillary  area.  Lining  of  wings  extensively  blackish.  Tail  usually  white  from 
the  base  for  some  distance,  then  with  dark  and  light  barring.  The  inner  webs  of  the 
flight  feathers  extensively  white  from  the  base,  usually  with  little,  if  any,  of  the 
dark  barring  so  prevalent  among  buteonine  hawks.  From  such  a  light  and  vari- 
egated plumage  as  this,  the  bird  varies  to  more  or  less  nearly  uniform  blackish,  in 
which  case  the  tail  is  usually  barred  several  times  with  white.  *  *  Length  of  a 
female,  22.00;  extent,  54.00;  wing,  17.50;  tail,  9.00;  iris  light  brown;  bill  mostly 
blackish-blue,  cere  pale  greenish-yellow,  feet  dull  yellow,  claws  blue-black.  This 
is  about  an  average  size  ;  the  male  averages  smaller."— Cone's  Key. 

Hab. — Whole  of  North  America  north  of  Mexico,  breeding  chiefly  north  of  the 
United  States. 

In  any  plumage  this  bird  can  easily  be  distinguished  from  other  of 
our  hawks  by  the  tarsus,  which  is  thickly  feathered  in  front  to  the 
toes.  I  have  found  the  Rough- legged  or  Black  Hawk  in  Pennsylvania 
only  as  a  winter  sojourner,  about  the  meadows  and  grass  fields  along 
or  near  large  streams.  In  the  winter  of  1879,  when  hunting  along  the 
Brandywine  creek,  I  saw  seven  of  these  hawks  at  one  time,  perched 
about  on  trees  in  a  meadow  of  some  five  acres  in  extent.  In  this  lo- 
cality, the  species  is  usually  found  singly  or  in  pairs.  The  Rough- 
legs  generally  migrate  northward  about  the  middle  of  March ;  I  have, 
however,  observed  them  here  late  in  April.  "  Its  migrations  appear 
to  be  quite  regular  and  extensive — more  so,  perhaps,  than  is  generally 
supposed — though  probably  it  does  not  diifer  from  most  Hawks  in  this 
respect.  Birds  of  this  family  must  follow  their  prey,  wherever  this 
leads  them,  and  only  a  few  of  the  more  powerful  species,  able  to  prey 
upon  hares  and  Ptarmigan,  pass  the  winter  in  our  highest  latitudes. 
The  Rough-legged  is  a  rather  northerly  species,  rarely,  if  ever,  breed- 
ing within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  and  becoming  rarer  to- 
wards its  southern  terminus." — Coues.  Although  this  Hawk  usually 
breeds  north  of  the  United  States,  or  at  least  is  generally  so  recorded 
by  various  writers,  it  occasionally  nests  as  far  south  as  Pennsylvania. 
April  5, 1886,  Mr.  Samuel  B.  Ladd,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  found  a  nest 
and  two  eggs  of  this  bird,  in  a  thick  woods,  at  Fites  Eddy,  on  the 
Susquehanna  river.  Mr.  Ladd  has  kindly  furnished  me  with  the  fol- 
lowing description  of  this  nest  and  eggs:  "The  nest,  partly  con- 
cealed by  a  wild  grape  vine,  was  built  in  the  crotch  of  an  oak  tree, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  93 

some  thirty  feet  from  the  ground,  and  was  composed  entirely  of  sticks, 
averaging  about  one-half  an  inch  in  diameter ;  interior  made  up/  of 
small  sticks  or  twigs.  The  general  appearance  of  the  nest  was  as  if 
it  had  been  crushed.  Eggs  measure  respectively.  2.35  X  1.79  and 
2.40  X  1.83.  Ground  color,  white,  marked  or  rather  clouded  near  the 
larger  end  with  brown  and  lavender,  with  a  few  dark-brown  pencil- 
ings." 

"  It  is  a  sluggish  bird,  and  confines  itself  to  the  meadows  and  low 
grounds  bordering  the  rivers  and  salt  marshes  along  our  bays  and 
inlets.  In  such  places,  you  may  see  it  perched  on  a  stake,  where  it' 
remains  for  hours  at  a  time,  unless  some  wounded  bird  comes  in  sight, 
when  it  sails  after  it,  and  secures  it  without  manifesting  much  swift- 
ness of  flight.  It  feeds  principally  on  moles,  mice,  and  other  small 
quadrupeds,  and  never  attacks  a  duck  on  the  wing,  although  now  and 
then  it  pursues  a  wounded  one.  When  not  alarmed,  it  usually  flies 
low  and  sedately,  and  does  not  exhibit  any  of  the  courage  and  vigor 
so  conspicuous  in  most  other  hawks,  suffering  thousands  of  birds  to 
pass  without  pursuing  them.  The  greatest  feat  I  have  seen  it  per- 
form was  scrambling  at  the  edge  of  the  water  to  secure  a  lethargic 
frog.  They  alight  on  trees  to  roost,  but  appear  so  hungry  or  indolent 
at  all  times  that  they  seldom  retire  to  rest  until  after  dusk.  Their 
large  eyes,  indeed,  seem  to  indicate  their  possession  of  the  faculty  of 
seeing  at  that  late  hour.  I  have  frequently  put  up  one  that  seemed 
watching  for  food  at  the  edge  of  a  ditch  long  after  sunset.  Whenever 
an  opportunity  offers,  they  eat  to  excess,  and,  like  the  Turkey  Buz- 
zards and  Carrion  Crows,  disgorge  their  food,  to  enable  themselves  to 
fly  off.  The  species  is  more  nocturnal  in  its  habits  than  any  other 
hawk  found  in  the  United  States.  The  number  of  meadow  mice 
which  this  species  destroys  ought,  one  might  think,  to  secure  it  the 
protection  of  every  husbandman." — Audubon. 

In  the  stomachs  of  eleven  of  these  hawks,  which  I  have  examined, 
were  found  only  field-mice. 

GENUS   AQ.UILA.     BRISSON. 
349.    Aquila  chrysaetos  (LiNN.). 

Golden  Eagle. 

This  large  bird  is  found  throughout  most  of  North  America,  and 
occurs  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  an  occasional  winter  visitant.  The 
only  species  with  which  it  is  sometimes  confounded  is  the  Bald  or 
White-headed  Eagle  in  immature  plumage.  The  two  species  can  al- 
ways be  distinguished  at  a  single  glance,  if  you  remember  that  the 
Golden  Eagle  has  the  tarsus  densely  feathered  to  the  toes,  and  the 
Bald  Eagle  has  a  bare  tarsus.  The  Golden  Eagle  measures  3  feet  or 


94  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

over  in  length,  and  6  feet  or  more  in  alar  extent  and  is  said  to  weigh 
from  9  to  13  pounds.  The  following  mention  of  the  peculiarities  of 
the  Golden  Eagle  in  captivity  I  gleaned  from  conversation  with  Mr. 
B.  M.  Everhart,  who  for  several  years  kept  one  in  his  yard.  This 
bird,  in  consequence  of  a  gun-shot  wound  in  the  wing,  was  unable  to 
fly  off.  "All  the  yard  situated  to  the  north  and  east  of  the  house  was 
known  as  Nero's  (bird's  name)  domain.  Along  the  walk  leading  to 
my  office  was  his  perch,  a  dead  tree  stump  some  eight  feet  high. 
When  satiated  with  food  he  would  sit  there  for  hours  at  a  time.  If  at 
any  time  during  the  day  a  cat  or  domestic  fowl  happened  to  enter  his 
ground,  it  had  to  make  a  speedy  departure  or  be  killed.  The  latter 
was  mostly  the  case,  for  Nero  seldom  'went  for'  anything  without  his 
capturing  it.  When  I  neglected  to  give  him  his  daily  allowance  (1 
Ib.  meat),  as  was  sometimes  the  case,  he  wandered  about  the  yard  ut- 
tering a  ventriloquial.  gutteral  sound,  which  had  the  effect  of  bring- 
ing around  him  birds  and  chickens.  Occasionally  the  former,  and  in- 
variably the  latter,  would  be  killed.  Towards  people  other  than  my- 
self he  displayed  great  animosity,  this  being  particularly  the  case 
with  children  and  timorous  individuals.  One  day  Joshua  Hoopes,  a 
school  teacher  at  that  time,  brought  a  party  of  his  boys  to  see  the 
bird,  and  I  noticed  one  of  their  number,  a  puny  and  delicate  lad,  the 
eagle  continually  eyed  and  several  times  endeavored  to  make  at  him. 
Towards  a  female  domestic,  who  had  annoyed  him  by  throwing  water 
on  him  and  poking  at  him  with  a  stick,  he  showed  great  antipathy ; 
we  were  eventually  obliged,  for  her  personal  safety  and  our  own  con- 
venience, to  discharge  the  girl,  as  she  could  not  go  into  the  yard  with- 
out being  attacked.  An  Irishman  one  day  slyly  entered  the  yard,  but 
in  crossing  Nero's  province  he  was  set  upon  by  the  bird.  In  the  fleshy 
part  of  the  man's  thigh  he  imbedded  his  talons,  and  it  was  with  con- 
siderable difficulty  his  hold  was  loosened.  Erin's  son  declared  that 
'  Niver  before  in  his  howl  life  had  he  seed  sich  a  devil,'  and  that  noth- 
ing short  of  the  eagle's  life  could  appease  for  his  injuries.  Examina- 
tion showed  that  although  there  were  ugly  flesh  wounds,  nothing  of  a 
serious  nature  would  follow.  This  information  being  imparted,  and 
a  two-dollar  bill  tendered  to  the  Irishman,  his  sufferings  were  much 
relieved.  He  stated  that  although  he  looked  upon  the  '  critter '  as  a 
'  bold,  bad  bird,'  still  he  deemed  him  a  fit  subject  to  c  kape  fra '  from 
intrusion  in  the  back  yard,  and  that  in  the  future,  whenever  he  had 
any  business  with  Bridget,  he  would  enter  the  front  gate  and  make 
known  his  wants  at  the  front  door.  The  strongest  and  largest  torn 
cat  he  could  manage  with  ease.  When  anyone  had  a  specially  ob- 
jectionable cat  which  they  wanted  disposed  of,  they  would  bag  it  up 
and  bring  it  to  the  eagle.  As  soon  as  he  saw  the  bag — now  the  bird, 
which  an  instant  before  sat  moping,  ruff-feathered,  and  seemingly 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA.  95 

half  dead,  suddenly,  as  if  by  magic,  changed,  as  it  were,  into  a  new 
being;  body  erect,  feathers  close  to  the  body,  tail  expanded,  the 
sunken  eyes  with  ten-fold  increased  lustre,  followed  with  argus  gaze 
every  motion  of  the  bag  and  occupant;  soon  as  grimalkin  was  liber- 
ated the  eagle  swooped  down  and  grasped  it.  If  the  cat  was  of  ordi- 
nary size,  Nero  displayed  little  concern  in  dispatching  it ;  but  if  it  was 
a  Thomas  feline,  of  huge  dimensions,  all  the  powers  of  the  bird  were 
brought  into  requisition.  Then  the  true  nature  of  the  eagle  was  seen. 
The  eyes,  before  bright,  now  shone  like  balls  of  fire,  the  crest  feathers 
standing  up,  and  the  contraction  of  the  massive  femoral  muscles  were 
discernable  ;  his  voice,  before  hushed,  now  added  discord  to  the  dying 
yells  of  his  struggling  victim,  so  inextricably  fixed  in  his  relentless 
talons.  He  could  kill  a  cat  in  from  two  to  five  minutes.  Commonly, 
the  eagle  would  grasp  the  cat  around  the  small  -of  the  back  with  one 
foot,  with  the  other  he  encircled  the  neck,  thus  retaining  his  hold 
until  the  animal  had  ceased  its  struggles,  which  were  soon  over,  as 
they  were  greatly  augmented  by  fright  and  excessive  violence  of  ac- 
tion. When  the  cat  became  quiet  the  eagle  would  raise  his  wings, 
which  he  had  allowed  to  drop,  draw  his  body  up  as  high  as  possible 
from  his  prey,  and  proceed  leisurely  to  tear  off  the  skin  from  his  cap- 
tive's back  and  side,  exposing  the  muscles  and  viscera,  which  he  ate." 

In  reference  this  eagle,  Audubon  says  :  u  They  are  capable  of  re- 
maining without  food  for  several  days  at  a  time,  and  eat  voraciously 
whenever  they  find  an  opportunity. 

"  Young  fawns,  raccoons,  hares,  wild  turkeys  and  other  large  birds 
are  their  usual  food;  and  they  devour  putrid  flesh  only  when  hard 
pressed  by  hunger,  none  alighting  on  carrion  at  any  other  time." 


GENUS  HALLffiETUS.  SAVIGNY. 
352.  Haliaeetus  leucocephalus  (LINN.). 

Bald  Eagle. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  large,  strong,  straight  at  the  base,  rather  abruptly  hooked  ;  wings  long  ;  tarsi 
rather  short. 

A'hiJt. — Head,  tail,  and  its  upper  and  under  coverts,  white  ;  entire  other  plumage 
brownish-black,  generally  with  the  edges  of  the  feathers  paler  ;  bill,  feet  and  irides, 
yellow. 

Younger. — Entire  plumage,  including  head  and  tail,  dark-brown  ;  paler  on  the 
throat ;  edges  of  the  feathers  paler  or  fulvous,  especially  on  the  under  parts  ;  tail 
more  or  less  mottled  with  white,  which  color,  in  more  advanced  age,  extends  over 
a  large  portion  of  the  tail,  especially  on  the  inner  webs  ;  bill  brownish-black  ;  irides 
brown. 

Male, — Length  about  34  inches  ;  extent  of  wings  about  7  feet  Female  larger, 
measuring  sometimes  8  feet  in  extent. 

. — Xorth  America  at  large,  south  to  Mexico. 


96  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  name  "  bald,"  which  is  given  to  this  species  is  not  applied  be- 
cause the  head  is  bare,  but  because  the  leathers  of  the  neck  and  head 
in  the  adults  are  pure  white.  In  Pennsylvania,  as  well  as  throughout 
the  United  States,  we  have  but  two  species  of  Eagles.  The  "  Black," 
c;  Gray  "  and  u  Washington  "  Eagles  are  all  young  of  the  Bald  Eagle. 
Three  years,  it  is  stated,  are  required  before  this  species  assumes  the 
adult  plumage.  The  Bald  Eagle,  although  found  in  Pennsylvania  at 
all  seasons  of  the  year,  is  much  oftener  met  with  during  the  winter 
months  than  at  other  times,  A  few  of  these  birds  annually  rear  their 
young  along  the  Susquehanna  river,  and  elsewhere  in  this  State.  The 
nest,  a  bulky  affair,  built  usually  on  a  large  tree,  mostly  near  the 
water,  is  said  to  be  about  five  or  six  feet  in  diameter.  It  is  made  up 
chiefly  of  large  sticks,  lined  inside  with  grasses,  leaves,  etc.  The  eggs 
commonly  2 — rarely  3 — are  white  and  measure  about  3  by  2-J  inches. 
A  favorite  article  of  food  with  this  bird  is  fish,  which  he  obtains, 
chiefly,  by  strategy  and  rapine.  The  Bald  Eagle  is  quite  plentiful  in 
the  vicinity  of  large  rivers,  where  the  Fish  Hawk  is  common;  unlike 
this  last-named  bird,  however,  he  cannot  be  called  piscivorous,  as  he 
subsists  largely  on  ducks,  geese  and  other  aquatic  birds.  Referring 
to  this  Eagle,  Audubon  says  :  u  No  sooner  does  the  Fish  Hawk  make 
its  appearance  along  our  Atlantic  shores,  or  ascend  ou-r  numerous  and 
large  rivers,  than  the  Eagle  follows  it,  and,  like  a  selfish  oppressor, 
robs  it  of  the  hard-earned  fruits  of  its  labor.  Perched  on  some  tall 
summit,  in  view  of  the  ocean,  or  of  some  water-course,  he  watches 
every  motion  of  the  Fish  Hawk  while  on  wing.  When  the  latter  rises 
from  the  water,  with  a  fish  in  its  grasp,  forth  rushes  the  Eagle  in  pur- 
suit. He  mounts  above  the  Fish  Hawk,  and  threatens  it  by  actions 
well  understood,  when  the  latter,  fearing  perhaps  that  its  life  is  in 
danger,  drops  its  prey.  In  an  instant,  the  Eagle,  accurately  estimat- 
ing the  rapid  descent  of  the  fish,  closes  his  wings,  follows  it  with  the 
swiftness  of  thought,  and  the  next  moment  grasps  it.  * 

This  bird  now  and  then  procures  fish  for  himself  by  pursuing  them 
in  the  shallows  of  small  creeks.  I  have  witnessed  several  instances 
of  this  in  the  Perkiomen  creek  in  Pennsylvania,  where,  in  this  man- 
ner, I  saw  one  of  them  secure  a  number  of  Red  fins^  by  wading  briskly 
through  the  water,  and  striking  at  them  with  his  bill.  I  have  also 
observed  a  pair  scrambling  over  the  ice  of  frozen  pond  to  get  at  some 
fish  below,  but  without  success.  It  does  not  confine  itself  to  these 
kinds  of  food,  but  greedily  devours  young  pigs,  lambs,  fawns,  poultry 
and  the  putrid  flesh  of  carcasses  of  every  descriplion,  driving  off  the 
Vultures  and  Carrion  Crows,  or  the  dogs,  and  keeping  a  whole  party 
at  defiance  until  it  is  satiated."  Even  man  is  not  exempt  from  the 
attacks  of  these  predacious  birds.  I  have  repeatedly  seen  in  news- 
papers accounts  of  combats  between  men  and  Eagles ;  frequently  the 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  97 

bird  would  be  the  aggressor.  While  it  is  admitted  that  these  reports 
are  largely  due  to  the  imaginative  reporter,  it  is  believed  that  such 
occurrences  do  occasionally  take  place.  Veritable  instances  are  re- 
lated of  their  carrying  off  infants.  According  to  Wilson, u  an  attempt 
of  this  kind  was  made  upon  a  child  lying  by  its  mother,  as  she  was 
weeding  a  garden,  at  Egg  Harbor,  New  Jersey,  but  the  garment  seized 
upon  by  the  Eagle  giving  way  at  the  instant  of  the  attempt,  the 
child's  life  was  spared."  Nuttall  speaks  of  an  instance  said  to  have 
happened  at  Petersburg,  Ga.,  near  the  Savannah  river,  "  where  an 
infant,  sleeping  in  the  shade  near  the  house,  was  seized  and  carried 
off  to  the  eyry,  near  the  edge  of  a  swamp  five  miles  distant,  and  when 
found,  almost  immediately,  the  child  was  dead." 


SUBFAMILY  FALCONING.    FALCONS. 

GENUS  FALiCO.     LINNAEUS. 
356.  Palco  peregrinus  anatum  (BONAP.). 

Duck  Hawk;   Great-footed  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Aduti. — Frontal  band  white  ;  entire  upper  parts  bluish  cinereous,  with  transverse 
bands  of  brownish-black,  lighter  on  the  rump  ;  under  parts  (throat  and  foreneck 
frequently  unspotted)  yellowish-white,  with  cordate  and  circular  spots  of  black  on 
the  breast  and  abdomen,  and  transverse  bands  of  black  on  the  sides,  under  tail 
coverts  arid  tibia?  ;  quills  and  tail  brownish-black,  the  latter  with  transverse  bars  of 
pale  cinereous  ;  cheeks  with  a  patch  of  black  ;  bill  light-blue  ;  cere  and  base  of  bill 
yellow  ;  tarsi  and  toes  yellow  ;  iris  hazel ;  sexes  alike. 

Younger. — Entire  upper  parts  brownish-black  ;  frontal  spot  obscure;  large  space 
on  the  cheeks  black  ;  under  parts  dull  yellowish-white,  darker  than  in  adult,  and 
with  longitudinal  stripes  of  brownish-black  ;  tarsi  and  toes  bluish-lead  color. 

Female  :  total  length,  18  to  20  inches  ;  extent,  about45  ;  wing,  14  to  15 ;  tail,  7  inches* 

Hab.—  North  America  at  large. 

In  Pennsylvania  I  have  found  the  Duck  Hawk  only  as  a  rare  visi- 
tant during  the  winter,  when  solitary  individuals  are  occasionally 
observed.  This  bird  like  others  of  the  northern  Hawks  is  bold  and 
pedacious.  It  is  much  oftener  found  along  the  sea  coast  and  large 
rivers  than  in  inland  districts.  Dr.  Coues  states  that  this  species 
breeds  as  far  south  as  Virginia,  usually  in  the  mountainous  districts. 
Mr.  Gentry  says  :  u  In  eastern  Pennsylvania  it  is  a  very  rare  species, 
and  breeds  only  in  occasional  instances.  Perhaps  a  more  careful  and 
thorough  exploration  of  our  numerous  river  banks,  and  the  summits 
of  our  numerous  mountain  ridges  would  reveal  the  fact  that  it  breeds 
in  larger  numbers  than  is  at  present  allowed." 

The  following  information  relative  to  the  breeding  of  the  Duck 
Hawk  in  Pennsylvania  is  obtained  from  Thomas  M.  Brewer's  North 
7  BIEDS. 


98  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

American  Oology,  p.  9,  pt.  I :  "  I  have  been  informed  by  Professor  S. 
F.  Baird  that  this  Hawk  undoubtedly  nested  on  a  high  cliff  near  the 
house  of  Professor  S.  S.  Haldeman,  near  Columbia,  Pennsylvania,  as 
attested  by  the  assurances  of  Professor  Haldeman,  who  has  on  several 
occasions  procured  very  young  ones  which  had  fallen  from  the  nest. 
Specimens  of  these  are  in  the  Smithsonian  Institution.  Professor 
Haldeman,  in  answer  to  my  inquiries,  has  kindly  furnished  me  with 
the  following  interesting  information  in  regard  to  the  occurence  of 
this  bird  in  Pennsylvania :  '  In  the  Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of 
Natural  Sciences,  Vol.  I,  p.  54  (1841),  I  have  noticed  the  occurence 
of  Falco  peregrinus  anatum  on  the  Susquehanna.  A  pair  had  a  nest 
for  many  years  about  a  hundred  yards  from  my  house,  on  a  high  and 
almost  vertical  cliff;  but  as  a  railway  now  traverses  its  base,  it  is  not 
probable  that  the  species  will  return  to  the  locality.  I  have  not  seen 
an  individual  for  a  number  of  years  past.  *  *  *  *  *  This  bird 
remained  ten  or  eleven  months  in  the  year,  disappearing  only  in  the 
coldest  weather,  and  returning  with  the  first  favorable  change.  The 
nest  was  difficult  of  access,  and  I  never  saw  it ;  but  it  was  once 
reached  and  the  young  taken  by  getting  down  from  above.  I  have 
seen  them  at  Harper's  Ferry  since  the  railway  has  been  in  use  there, 
recognizing  them  by  their  flight  and  cry.  I  feel  confident  that  they 
breed  there,  the  cliffs  being  well  adapted  to  their  habits.  Ranges  of 
similar  cliffs  occur  along  the  rivers  of  East  Tennessee,  but  I  did  not 
meet  with  the  bird  when  travelling  there.  On  the  Susquehanna  they 
breed  early  in  the  Spring,  the  young  (to  the  number  of  not  less  than 
three)  leaving  the  nest  perhaps  in  May;  and  there  may  possibly  be  a 
second  brood.  I  used  formerly  to  see  this  species  about  three  miles 
farther  up  the  Susquehanna,  where  it  probably  inhabits  the  cliffs  on 
the  western  side.  *****  I  am  under  the  impression  that  at 
my  locality  but  a  single  pair  remained,  the  young  disappearing  in  the 
course  of  the  season.  In  the  wild  region  between  Columbia  and  tide- 
water, there  are  many  localities  suited  to  the  habits  of  this  bird.' ' 

The  nest  and  eggs  of  the  Duck  Hawk  I  have  never  seen.  They  are 
described  by  Audubon  as  follows :  ^  I  have  nowhere  seen  it  so  abun- 
dant as  along  the  high,  rocky  shores  of  Labrador  and  Newfoundland, 
where  I  procured  several  adult  individuals  of  both  sexes,  as  well  as 
some  eggs  and  young.  The  nests  were  placed  on  the  shelves  of  rocks, 
a  few  feet  from  the  top,  and  were  flat,  and  rudely  constructed  of  sticks 
and  moss.  In  some  were  found  four  eggs,  in  others  only  two,  and  in 
one  five.  In  one  nest  only  a  single  young  bird  was  found.  The  eggs 
vary  considerably  in  color  and  size,  which,  I  think,  is  owing  to  a  dif- 
ference of  age  in  the  females;  the  eggs  of  young  birds  being  smaller. 
The  average  length  of  four  was  two  inches,  their  breadth  one  and  five- 
eighths.  They  are  somewhat  rounded,  though  larger  at  one  end  than 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  99 

the  other ;  their  general  and  most  common  color  is  a  reddish  or  rusty 
yellowish-brown,  spotted  and  confusedly  marked  with  darker  tints  of 
the  same,  here  and  there  intermixed  with  lighter.  The  young  are  at 
first  thickly  covered  with  soft  white  down." 

FOOD. 

'*  He  pursues  the  smaller  ducks,  water-hens,  and  other  swimming 
birds ;  and,  if  they  are  not  quick  in  diving,  seizes  them,  and  rises  with 
them  from  the  water.  I  have  seen  this  hawk  come  at  the  report  of  a 
gun,  and  carry  off  a  teal,  not  thirty  steps  distant  from  the  sportsman 
who  had  killed  it,  with  a  daring  assurance  as  surprising  as  unexpected. 
This  conduct  has  been  observed  by  many  individuals,  and  is  a  char- 
acteristic trait  of  the  species.  The  largest  bird  that  I  have  seen  this 
hawk  attack  and  grapple  with  on  the  wing  is  the  Mallard. 

"  The  Great-footed  Hawk  does  not,  however,  content  himself  with 
waterfowl.  He  is  generally  seen  following  the  flocks  of  pigeons,  and 
even  blackbirds,  causing  great  terror  in  their  ranks,  and  forcing  them 
to  perform  aerial  evolutions  to  escape  the  grasp  of  his  dreaded  talons. 
For  several  days,  I  watched  one  of  them  that  had  taken  a  particular 
fancy  to  some  tame  pigeons,  to  secure  which  it  went  so  far  as  to  enter 
their  house  at  one  of  the  holes,  seize  a  bird,  and  issue  by  another  hole 
in  an  instant,  causing  such  terror  among  the  rest  as  to  render  me 
fearful  that  they  would  abandon  the  place.  However.  I  fortunately 
shot  the  depredator. 

uThey  occasionally  feed  on  dead  fish,  that  have  floated  to  the  shores 
or  sand-bars.  I  saw  several  of  them  thus  occupied,  while  descending 
the  Mississippi  on  a  journey  undertaken  expressly  for  the  purpose  of 
observing  and  procuring  different  specimens  of  birds,  and  which  lasted 
four  months,  as  I  followed  the  windings  of  that  great  river,  floating 
down  it  only  a  few  miles  daily.  During  that  period.  I  and  my  com- 
panion counted  upwards  of  fifty  of  these  hawks,  and  killed  several ; 
one  of  which  was  found  to  contain  in  its  stomach  bones  of  birds,  a  few 
downy  feathers,  the  gizzard  of  a  teal,  and  the  eyes  and  many  scales 
of  a  fish.'' — Audubon. 

I  have  examined  but  three  of  these  hawks ;  the  stomachs  of  two 
were  destitute  of  food-materials,  the  other  contained  a  few  feathers 
of  a  domestic  pigeon. 

357.  Falco  columbarius,  LINN. 

Pigeon  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION. 

A  fluff  Ma/e. — Entire  upper  parts  bluish-slate  color,  every  feather  with  a  black 
longitudinal  line ;  forehead  and  throat  white :  other  under  parts  pale  yellowish  or 
reddish-white  ;  every  feather  with  a  longitudinal  line  of  brownish-black  ;  tibiae  light 
ferruginous,  with  lines  of  black ;  quills  black,  tipped  with  ashy-white ;  tail  light 


100  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA, 

bluish-ashy,  tipped  with  white  and  with  a  wide  subterrninal  band  of  black,  and  with 
several  other  tians verse  narrower  bands  of  black  ;  inner  webs  nearly  white ;  cere 
and  legs  yellow  ;  bill  blue  ;  iris  brown. 

Younger. — Entire  upper  plumage  dusky-brown,  quite  light  in  some  specimens, 
and  with  a  tinge  of  ashy ;  head  above,  with  narrow  stripes  of  dark  brown  and  fer- 
ruginous, and  in  some  specimens  many  irregular  spots  and  edgings  of  the  latter 
color  on  the  other  upper  parts  ;  forehead  and  entire  under  parts  dull-white,  the  latter 
with  longitudinal  stripes  of  light-brown  ;  sides  and  flanks  light-brown,  with  pairs 
of  circular  spots  of  white  ;  tibiae  dull  white,  with  dashes  of  brown  ;  tail  pale-brown, 
with  about  six  transverse  bands  of  white  ;  cere  and  legs  greenish-yellow. 

Young.— Upper  plumage  brownish-black,  white  of  the  forehead  and  under  parts 
more  deeply  tinged  with  reddish-yelloAV ;  dark  stripes  wider  than  in  preceding ; 
sides  and  flanks  with  wide  transverse  bands  of  brownish-black,  and  with  circular 
spots  of  yellowish-white  ;  quills  black  ;  tail  brownish-black,  tipped  with  white,  and 
with  about  four  bands  of  white  ;  cere  and  feet  greenish-yellow. 

Total  length,  female  12  to  14  inches  ;  wing,  8  to  9  inches  ;  tail,  5  to  5.j  inches.  Male, 
total  length,  10  to  11  inches  ;  wing,  7|  to  8  inches  ;  tail,  5  inches. 

Hab. — The  whole  of  North  America,  south  to  the  West  Indies  and  northern  South 
America. 

This  falcon,  a  native  of  more  northern  latitudes,  is  rarely  found  in 
this  region  except  during  the  winter  season,  when  solitary  birds  are 
occasionally  observed.  The  Pigeon  Hawk  is  most  frequently  found 
in  the  mountainous  and  heavily-wooded  districts.  Wilson  writes: 
"He  is  generally  migratory  in  the  Middle  and  Northern  States,  arriv- 
ing in  Pennsylvania  early  in  spring,  and  extending  his  migrations  as 
far  north  as  Hudson's  Bay.  After  building  and  rearing  his  young,  he 
retires  to  the  south  early  in  November.  Small  birds  and  mice  are  his 
principal  food.  When  the  reed-birds,  grakles,  and  red-winged  black- 
birds congregate  in  large  nights,  he  is  often  observed  hovering  in  their 
rear,  or  on  their  flanks,  picking  up  the  weak,  the  wounded,  or  strag- 
glers, and  frequently  making  a  sudden  and  fatal  sweep  into  the  very 
midst  of  their  multitudes.  The  flocks  of  robins  and  pigeons  are  hon- 
ored with  the  same  attentions  from  this  marauder,  whose  daily  excur- 
sions are  entirely  regulated  by  the  movoments  of  the  great  body  on 
whose  unfortunate  members  he  fattens." 

In  the  few  examinations  which  I  have  made  of  these  hawks,  only 
the  remains  of  birds — common  pigeons  and  sparrows — have  been  de- 
tected. From  my  observations  in  the  field,  as  well  as  dissections,  I 
believe  the  Pigeon  Hawk  during  its  residence  in  this  locality  preys 
mainly  on  various  small  birds.  The  following  is  taken  from  my  note- 
book in  relation  to  a  pair  of  these  hawks :  "  Two  Pigeon  Hawks  during 
the  late  fall  lurked  about  the  southern  suburbs  of  the  borough  of 
West  Chester,  preying  at  regular  intervals  on  the  pigeons  of  a  black- 
smith. In  one  week  the  hawks  killed  or  drove  away  fifty  of  the  birds. 
The  hawks  would  enter  the  boxes  and  take  from  them  the  pigeons." 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  10  J 


360.    Falco  sparverius. 

American  Sparrow  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  16  :  Fig.  3,  female  :  Fig.  8,  male.) 

Length,  10  to  12  inches  ;  extent  of  wings,  18  to  23  inches. 

Hob.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  south  to  northern  South  America. 

This  well-known  little  Hawk  is  the  smallest  and  most  beautiful  of 
the  family  Falconidce.  It  is  a  resident,  but  is  more  numerous  during 
fall  and  winter  than  at  other  seasons.  Unlike  other  of  our  native 
Hawks,  it  sometimes  rears  two  broods  in  a  season.  The  Sparrow 
Hawk  builds  no  nest,  but  deposits  her  eggs  —  numbering  from  five  to 
seven,  rarely  the  latter  number  —  in  hollow  trees,  selecting  usually 
the  deserted  hole  of  a  woodpecker.  The  eggs,  nearly  spherical,  meas- 
ure about  1.33  by  1.13  inches,  and  are  of  a  whitish  or  pale  yellow- 
brown  color,  blotched  all  over  with  dark  brown.  Oviposition  occurs 
in  April.  Occasionally,  if  the  eggs  are  taken,  the  bird  will  a  second 
time  deposit  eggs  in  the  same  nest.  When  the  young  or  eggs  are  dis- 
turbed, the  parent  birds  will  sometimes  defend  invasion  of  their  domi- 
cile with  great  temerity.  Some  few  years  ago  I  was  endeavoring  to 
secure  the  young  from  a  nest  of  this  species.  I  had  climbed  the  tree 
to  the  aperture,  about  thirty-five  feet  from  the  ground,  wherein  were 
snugly  packed  five  young,  one  of  which  I  removed,  when  both  old 
birds  assailed  me.  They  several  times  struck  my  head  and  arms  with 
their  talons  and  wings.  So  persistent  were  their  attacks  that  I,  desir- 
ing to  obtaining  the  young  alive,  directed  a  companion,  who  stood 
near  by,  to  shoot  both  birds.  I  have  repeatedly  taken  the  eggs  and 
young  of  this  species,  but  never,  only  in  the  above-  cited  instance,  en- 
countered such  determined  opposition.  When  reared  from  the  nest, 
this  species  will  soon  become  attached  to  its  master.  I  raised  two, 
which  were  given  their  freedom.  Both  birds  would  come  at  my  call 
and  alight  on  my  outstretched  arm  or  shoulders,  anxiously  waiting  for 
a  grasshopper  or  piece  of  meat,  which  was  always  their  recompense. 
This  Hawk  will  resort,  for  several  consecutive  years,  to  the  same  tree 
for  breeding  purposes.  From  Doctor  Wood's  u  Birds  of  Connecticut," 
the  following  remarks,  with  regard  to  the  nesting  of  this  bird,  are 
taken  : 

"  One  of  my  collectors  found  a  nest  of  four  eggs  in  the  top  of  a 
stump,  about  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  This  nest  was  composed  of 
grass,  and  was  discovered  by  the  grass  protruding  through  a  crack  in 
the  stump.  Whether  this  Hawk  constructed  this  nest,  or  whether  it 
had  been  made  by  some  other  bird,  it  is  impossible  to  tell  ;  but  if  this 
Hawk  constructs  no  nest,  as  asserted  by  Doctor  Brewer  and  others,  it 
must  have  obtained  it  piratically,  as  the  nest  was  new.  In  another 
instance,  which  occurred  in  Granby,  Connecticut,  the  nest  was  known 


102  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

to  have  been  obtained  in  this  way:     A  farmer  made  a  dove-house  in- 
side of  his  barn,  with  holes  through  the  sides  of  the  building  commu 
nicating  with  it.     A  pair  of  doves  that  had  mated  there  were  attacked 
and  killed  by  a  pair  of  Sparrow  Hawks,  who  took  possession  of  their 
nest,  laid  four  eggs,  and  commenced  incubating." 

Incubation,  which  lasts  for  about  a  period  of  from  twenty-one  to 
twenty-four  days,  is  engaged  in  by  both  birds,  and  while  one  is  sitting 
its  mate  supplies  it  with  food.  When  first  hatched,  the  young  are  cov- 
ered with  a  white  down.  The  food  of  young,  while  under  parental 
care,  I  have  found  to  consist  chiefly  of  insects. 

FOOD. 

H.  W.  Henshaw  says  :  "  Its  food  consists  chiefly  of  the  various  kinds 
of  coleopterous  insects  and  grasshoppers,  of  which  it  destroys  multi- 
tudes ;  in  fact,  this  last  item  is  the  most  important  of  all,  and  where 
these  insects  are  abundant  I  have  never  seen  them  recourse  to  any 
other  kind  of  food." 

Allen,  in  his  u  Ornithological  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  the  Great  Salt 
Lake  Valley,"  says  :  "  The  Sparrow  Hawk,  however,  was  by  far  the 
most  numerous  of  the  Falconidce  ;  thirty  were  seen  in  the  air  at  one 
time  near  the  mouth  of  Weber  canon,  engaged  in  the  capture  of  the 
hateful  grasshoppers,  which  seems  at  this  season  to  form  the  principal 
food  of  this  and  other  birds."  Audubon  mentions  that  he  had  one 
of  these  birds  tamed.  It  was  allowed  its  liberty.  ifc  In  attempting  to 
secure  a  chicken  one  day,  the  old  hen  attacked  him  with  such  violence 
as  to  cost  him  his  life."  Doctor  Wood  says :  "  When  they  cannot 
readily  procure  their  favorite  food,  mice  and  small  birds  are  greedily 
devoured ;  and,  according  to  a  writer  in  the  American  Naturalist, 
they  are  not  wholly  devoid  of  the  piratical  habits  of  the  Bald  Eagle-. 
4  A  tame  cat  was  crossing  the  street  and  bearing  a  large  mouse  in  her 
mouth ;  a  Sparrow  Hawk  came  flying  over,  and  seeing  the  mouse  in 
her  mouth,  made  a  sudden  swoop  and  tried  to  seize  it  with  its  talons, 
but  did  not  succeed.  The  Hawk  continued  its  attempts  until  they 
reached  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  when  the  cat  disappeared 
under  the  sidewalk.'  If  it  catches  a  mouse  that  proves  to  be  lousy 
and  poor,  it  will  leave  it  and  seek  another."  Gentry  writes  :  "  Of  all 
our  falcons,  it  is  the  least  timid  and  suspicious;  and  manifests  nearly 
the  courage  and  address  of  F.  columbarius.  Like  the  latter,  it  does 
not  deserve  the  severe  censure  and  cruel  persecutions  which  are  oc- 
casionally inflicted  upon  it.  It  is  certainly  regarded  in  some  sections 
with  less  disfavor  than  any  other  species.  The  countless  number  of 
field-mice  and  noxious  insects  which  it  destroys  should  command  for 
it  universal  respect.  It  is  certainly  a  great  benefactor  to  agriculturists. 
It  is  too  frail  a  creature  to  commit  much  mischief  in  the  farm-yard. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  103 

If  it  destroys  a  few  young  chickens  occasionally,  as  has  been  asserted, 
the  immense  good  which  it  accomplishes  more  than  balances  the  mis- 
chief done  Its  numerous  visits  to  the  barn-yard  are  not  made  with 
the  view  of  depredating  upon  the  farmer's  poultry,  but  for  the  vermin 
which  frequent  his  various  out-buildings,  and  are  so  destructive  to  his 
stored  grains.  Let  them  be  encouraged 'in  their  visits.  They  cannot 
carry  away  the  adult  hen,  and  as  for  the  chicks,  they  are  so  well 
guarded  by  the  mother  that,  only  in  rare  instances,  will  this  Hawk 
have  the  hardihood  to  venture  an  assault  upon  the  brood  unless  it  be 
considerably  scattered  from  the  parent,  when  it  will  merely  single  out 
the  most  distant  chick. r 

The  stomach  contents  of  sixty-five  of  this  species  which  I  have  dis- 
sected showed,  in  thirty-one,  principally  field-mice,  with  frequent 
traces  of  various  insects;  twenty-three,  mainly  grasshoppers  and 
beetles;  seven,  small  birds;  two,  meadow  larks;  one,  remains  of 
mouse  and  small  bird ;  one,  insects  and  small  bird. 

SUBFAMILY  PANDIONIN£!.    OSPKEYS. 

GENUS  PANDION.     SAVIGNY. 
#54.  Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  (GMEL.) 

American  Osprey;  Fish  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Wings,  long ;  legs,  toes  and  claws,  very  robust  and  strong. 

-•1  <lult. — Head  and  entire  under  parts,  white ;  stripe  through  the  eye,  top  of  the  head 
and  upper  parts  of  the  body,  wings  and  tail,  deep  umber-brown,  tail  having  about 
eight  bands  of  blackish-brown  ;  breast  (particularly  in  female),  more  or  less  spotted 
with  pale  yellowish-brown ;  bill  and  claws,  bluish-black ;  tarsi  and  toes,  grayish- 
blue.  Iris,  in  some  specimens,  red,  but  mostly  yellow. 

Young. — Similar  to  the  adult,  but  with  the  upper  plumage  edged  and  tipped  with 
pale-brownish,  nearly  white  ;  spots  on  the  breast  more  numerous  and  darker  colored. 

Total  length,  female,  about  25  inches ;  extent,  about  52  inches ;  wing,  21  inches ; 
tail,  10|  inches  ;  male  rather  smaller. 

Hab. — North  America,  from  Hudson's  bay  and  Alaska  south  to  the  West  Indies 
and  northern  South  America. 

The  Fish  Hawk,  although  most  numerous  about  the  sea  coast,  is 
quite  frequently  met  with  along  our  large  rivers.  This  bird  arrives  in 
Pennsylvania  generally  about  the  last  week  in  March,  and  remains 
sometimes  as  late  as  the  first  of  November.  Although  the  Fish  Hawk 
commonly  rears  its  young  along  the  sea  coast,  it  is  frequently  found 
breeding  near  the  borders  of  large  rivers  or  in  the  vicinity  of  large 
inland  lakes.  The  nest,  a  particularly  bulky  structure  (from  4  to  8 
feet  in  diameter),  composed  chiefly  of  sticks,  and  lined  with  sea- 
weeds, grasses,  etc.,  is  built  usually  on  a  large  tree,  near  the  water. 
In  Florida,  I  have  found  eggs  and  young  of  this  bird  early  in  March. 
The  Fish  Hawk  occasionally  breeds  in  Pennsylvania ;  nests  have  been 
found  along  the  Susquehanna  river. 


104:  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Some  few  years  ago  Messrs.  William  Ingram  and  Joseph  Price,  of 
West  Chester,  Pa.,  discovered  a  nest  and  young  of  the  Fish  Hawk 
along  the  Brandywine  creek,  in  the  vicinity  of  Chadd's  Ford,  Dela- 
ware county.  The  eggs,  two  or  three  in  number,  measure  about  2£ 
inches  in  length  by  If  inches  in  width;  they  are  yellowish-white, 
thickly  covered  with  large  blotches  of  different  shades  of  brown.  u  I 
have  observed  many  of  these  birds,  at  the  approach  of  winter,  sailing 
over  the  lakes  near  the  Mississippi,  where  they  feed  on  the  fish  which 
the  Wood  Ibis  kills,  the  Hawks  themselves  being  unable  to  discover 
them  whilst  alive  in  the  muddy  water  with  which  these  lakes  are  filled. 
There  the  Ibises  wade  among  the  water  in  immense  flocks,  and  so 
trample  the  bottom  as  to  convert  the  lakes  into  filthy  puddles,  in 
which  the  fishes  are  unable  to  respire  with  ease.  They  rise  to  the 
surface  and  are  instantly  killed  by  the  Ibises.  The  whole  surface  is 
sometimes  covered  in  this  manner  with  dead  fish,  so  that  not  only  are 
the  Ibises  plentifully  supplied,  but  Vultures,  Eagles  and  Fish  Hawks 
come  to  participate  in  the  spoil.  Except  in  such  places,  and  on  such 
occasions,  I  have  not  observed  the  Fish  Hawk  to  eat  of  any  other  prey 
than  that  which  it  had  procured  by  plunging  headlong  into  the  water 
after  it." — Audubon.  Although  it  is  asserted  by  certain  reputable 
writers  that  during  the  breeding  season  these  birds  subsist  in  part  on 
reptiles  and  batrachians,  I  believe  that  such  food  is  only  taken  when 
they  are  unable  to  secure  fish,  which  they  are  so  expert  in  catching. 
In  the  stomachs  of  eighteen  Fish  Hawks,  killed  in  Pennsylvania,  New 
Jersey,  Maryland  and  Florida.  I  found  only  the  remains  of  fishes. 

SUBORDER  STEIGES.  OWLS.* 
FAMILY  STRIGID^l.     BAKN  OWLS. 

GENUS  STRIX.    LINNAEUS. 
365.  Strix  pratincola.    (BONAP.) 

American  Barn  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  17.) 

Length  of  female  about  16  inches ;  extent  of  wings  about  43  inches.  Male  rather 
smaller. 

Hab.—  Warmer  parts  of  North  America,  from  the  Middle  States,  Ohio  Valley  and 
California,  southward  through  Mexico. 

The  Barn  Owl  has  of  late  years  become  rather  rare  in  various  sec- 

*  To  distinguish  an  Owl  from  a  Hawk  remember  the  Owl's  eyes  are  situated  in  the  front  of  the 
head  and  looks  forward,  while  the  Hawk's  eyes  are  directed  to  either  side.  The  extremely  soft 
and  downy  plumage  of  these  birds  is  such  that  their  fiigDt  is  almost  noiseless.  During  the  day- 
light we  usually  find  them  concealed  in  hollow  trees,  or  dense  foliage,  preferably  cedar  thickets. 
While  it  is  generally  an  accepted  fact  that  Owls  are  nocturnal  in  their  habits  it  is  not  true  that 
they  tire  exclusively  so.  The  Short-eared  and  Barred  Owls  are  of  a  decidedly  diurnal  nature  : 
and  in  cloudy  weather  or  in  early  twilight  it  is  not  unusual  to  see  the  Great  Horned  Owl  sally 


Plate  17. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  105 

tions  of  Pennsylvania,  where  formerly  it  is  said  to  have  been  quite 
plentiful.  I  have  never  found  this  species  breeding  in  eastern  Penn- 
sylvania. Prof.  Gentry,  however,  who  has  been  more  fortunate,  says: 
"  In  the  selection  of  a  place  for  nesting  purposes,  these  Owls  vary  in 
different  localities.  In  eastern  Pennsylvania  generally  a  hollow  tree, 
chiefly  an  apple  or  an  oak,  is  chosen,  but  occasionally,  a  dilapidated 
and  unoccupied  barn ;  but  more  rarely,  an  occupied  building  in  close 
proximity  to  man.  When  the  former  situations  are  chosen,  the  hollow 
is  lined  with  a  few  dried  grasses  and  feathers,  although  instances  are 
not  unfrequently  met  with  where  the  eggs  are  deposited  upon  the  bare 
bottom.  In  the  latter  places,  a  few  rude  sticks  constitute  a  frame- 
work which  is  lined  with  a  few  fine  grasses  and  feathers.  It  is  depos- 
ited upon  a  short  timber  in  a  somewhat  inaccessible  part  of  the  build- 
ing. Nesting  ordinarily  takes  place  early  in  March,  although  we  have 
observed  newly-built  nests  in  the  latter  part  of  February.  Oviposi- 
tion  commences  about  the  second  week  of  March.  The  number  of 
eggs  laid  varies  from  three  to  four,  very  rarely  more. 
The  eggs  are  somewhat  subpherical,  scarcely  more  pointed  at  one 
extremity  than  the  other,  unless  in  exceptional  cases ;  of  a  bluish- 
white  color,  and  measure  1.67  inches  in  length,  and  1.37  in  width. 
They  vary,  however,  in  size  in  different  localities." 

••  It  is  generally  believed  that  the  Barn  Owl  is  decidedly  crepus- 
cular and  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  never  venturing  out  from  its  hiding 
place  in  quest  of  the  particular  insects  and  quadrupeds  which  consti- 
tute a  conspicuous  portion  of  its  diet.  During  cloudy  weather,  and 
even  late  in  the  afternoon,  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  find  it  abroad 
on  such  missions.  In  the  broad  glare  of  noon,  we  have  on  a  couple  of 
occasions,  during  the  breeding  period,  encountered  it  foraging  for 
food  wherewith  to  feed  its  young.'" — Gentry. 

FOOD. 

These  Owls  subsist  principally  on  mice — especially  meadow  mice — 
rats  and  various  insects.  Sometimes  they  catch  and  devour  small 
birds,  but  never,  I  think,  molest  poultry,  either  old  or  young. 

forth  in  quest  of  prey.  Birds  of  this  suborder,  unlike  certain  other  species  of  the  Raptores,  never, 
it  is  stated,  unless  reduced  to  the  utmost  extremity,  feed  on  carrion,  but  subsist  on  such  food  as 
they  are  able  to  kill.  Their  dietary,  although  variable  with  locality  and  circumstances,  consists 
mainlv  of  small  quadrupeds  'principally  field  mice),  insects,  chiefly  beetles  and  grasshoppers, 
and  some  few  of  the  smaller  kinds  of  birds.  "  Many  species  are  capable  of  living  without  water 
for  months  at  a  time,  though  some  of  them  drink  it  readily  and  often  bathe  freely."  Benjamin 
M.  Everhart,  the  well-known  Pennsylvania  botanist,  had  in  captivity,  for  a  period  of  about  two 
years,  a  Great  Horned  Owl,  and  during  this  time  he  says  it  never  would  drink  water.  The  Owls, 
like  manj'  other  birds  of  prey,  eject  from  the  mouth  in  small  ball-like  masses,  the  indigestible 
portions  of  their  food,  such  as  hair,  bones,  etc.  These  little  balls  or  pellets,  as  they  are  usually 
called,  are  frequently  to  be  found  in  great  quantities  about  localities  where  these  birds  resort 
during  the  daytime.  The  eggs  are  white,  nearly  round  and  commonly  number  from  three  to 
five ;  deposited  generally  in  hollow  trees  or  the  deserted  nests  of  Hawks  and  Crows.  Their  cries 
areloiidand  dismal. 


106 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERI  A  LS. 

1 

2 
3 

4 

5 

April  20,  1879,  . 
Nov.    14,  1880,  . 
Oct.     —  ,  1881,  . 

Sept.  —  ,  1882,  . 
May    21,  1886,  . 

Delaware  county,  Pa.,     .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    .    . 

Philadelphia  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    .    . 

Mice  and  fragments  of  beetles. 
Mice. 
Feathers  of  Sparrow  and  bones 
of  small  mammal. 
Mice. 
Mice. 

FAMILY  BUBONID-ffi.     HORNED  OWLS,  ETC. 

GENUS  ASIO.     BRISSON. 
366.  Asio  wilsonianus  (LESS.). 

American  Ijong'-eared  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Ear-tufts  long  and  conspicuous  ;  eyes  rather  small  ;  wings  long  tarsi  and  toes 
densely  feathered ;  upper  parts  mottled  with  brownish-black,  fulvous,  and  ashy- 
white,  the  former  predominating  •  breas  pale-fulvous,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of 
brownish-black  ;  abdomen  white  •  every  feather  with  a  wide  longitudinal  stripe,  and. 
with  transverse  stripes  of  brownish-black  ;  legs  and  toes  pale-fulvous,  usually 
.unspotted,  but  frequently  with  irregular  narrow  transverse  stripes  of  dark-brown ; 
eye  nearly  encircled  with  black  ;  other  leathers  of  the  face  ashy-white  ;  with  minute 
lines  of  black  ;  ear-tufts  brownish-black  edged  with  fulvous  and  ashy-white  ;  quills 
pale-fulvous  at  their  bases,  with  irregular  transverse  bands  of  brown ;  inferior 
coverts  of  the  wing  pale-fulvouss  frequently  nearly  white  ;  the  larger  widely  tipped 
with  black  ;  tail  brown,  with  several  irregular  transverse  bands  of  ashy-fulvous, 
which  are  mottled,  as  on  the  quills ;  bill  and  claws  dark  ;  irides  yellow. 

Total  length:  Female,  about  15  inches;  extent,  about  38;  wing,  11  to  11|  ;  tail,  6 
inches.  Male,  rather  smaller. 

Hob. — Temperate  North  America. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  these  birds  oftentimes  conceal  themselves 
during  the  daytime  in  cedar  trees,  the  local  appellation  of  "  Cedar 
Owl "  has  arisen.  The  Long-eared  Owl  is  a  resident  and  one  of  the 
most  abundant  of  all  the  Owl  tribe  in  this  State.  While  Owls  usually 
lead  a  solitary  life  or  associate  in  pairs,  we  find  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  to  be  social  and  gregarious,  associating  commonly  in  parties  of 
from  twelve  to  twenty-five  individuals.  During  the  winter  months,  if 
not  molested,  they  often  take  up  a  residence  in  the  dark  retreats  fur- 
nished by  the  numerous  coniferous  trees  growing  around  the  habita- 
tions of  man.  In  relation  to  a  party  of  these  owls  Dr.  William  R. 
Stavely,  Lahaska,  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  writes  me  as  follows : 
"  For  over  twenty  years  I  have  had  congregated  in  my  lawn  from 
fifty  to  seventy-five  Owls.  They  are  peaceable  and  quiet,  only  on  rare 
occasions  would  you  know  one  was  about.  On  dull  days  and  foggy 
evenings  they  were  flying  about  in  all  directions.  Never  in  all  that 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  107 

time  have  I  missed  any  poultry  or  have  they  inflicted  any  injury  on 
anything  of  value. 

"  The  first  I  noticed  of  their  presence  was  the  discovery  of  quite  a 
pile  of  what  appeared  to  be  mice  hair  and  bones,  and  on  investigation 
found  the  Norway  fir  was  the  roosting  place  of  to  me  at  that  time  a 
vast  number  of  owls.  They  had  ejected  the  bolus  of  hair  and  bones 
apparently  of  an  army  of  tree-eating  destructive  mice,  aiding  the  fruit 
grower  against  one  of  the  worst  and  most  inveterate  enemies.  *  *  * 
Their  merits  would  fill  sheets ;  the  demerits  nil." 

Although  it  is  true  that  the  Long-eared  Owls  at  times  do  construct 
their  own  nests,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  these  birds,  in  this 
region  at  least,  prefer  to  occupy  the  deserted  nests  of  other  birds.  I 
have  on  several  occasions  found  the  Long-eared  Owls  breeding,  and 
always  observed  that  they  occupied  the  abandoned  nests  of  Crows  or 
Hawks.  Audubon  says  :  u  The  Long- eared  Owl  is  careless  as  to  the 
situation  in  which  its  young  are  to  be  reared,  and  generally  accommo- 
dates itselt  with  the  abandoned  nest  of  some  other  bird  that  proves  of 
sufficient  size,  whether  it  be  high  or  low,  in  the  fissure  of  a  rock  or  on 
the  ground.  Sometimes,  however,  it  makes  a  nest  itself;  and  this  I 
found  to  be  the  case  in  one  instance  near  the  Juniata  river,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, where  it  was  composed  of  green  twigs,  with  the  leaflets 
adhering,  and  lined  with  fresh  grass  and  wool,  but  without  any 
feathers."  Of  all  our  Owls  this  species  is,  without  doubt,  the  most 
serviceable  to  the  farmer  and  horticulturist,  as  it  preys  almost  wholly 
on  field-mice  and  other  destructive  little  rodents.  Unhappily,  during 
the  past  four  or  five  years  there  has  been  a  rapid  decrease  in  the 
number  of  these  birds  in  many  localities  in  Pennsylvania ;  this  diminu- 
tion, I  judge,  is  largely  due  to  the  fact  that  the  stuffed  heads  of  these 
harmless  and  beneficial  Owls  make  an  attractive  ornament  for  lovely 
woman's  headwear. 

The  eggs  of  this  bird  vary  considerable  in  size  ;  a  small  example  in 
my  possession  measures  about  H  by  1£  inches. 

Xuttall  states  that  "besides  mice  and  rats,  this  species  also  preys 
on  field-mice,  moles  and  beetles." 

Audubon  says  :  "It  preys  chiefly  on  quadrupeds  of  the  genus 
A  r  i' i  cola,  and  in  summer  destroys  many  beetles/' 

I  have  examined  the  stomachs  of  twenty-three  Long-eared  Owls  and 
found  that  twenty-two  of  them  had  fed  only  on  mice  ;  the  other  exami- 
nation made  of  a  specimen  taken  in  the  late  spring,  showed  some 
beetles  and  portions  of  a  small  bird. 


108  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

367.  Asio  accipitrinus  (PALL.). 

Short-eared  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Ear-tufts  very  short ;  entire  plumage  buff  or  pale-fulvous  ;  every  feather  on  the 
upper  parts  with  a  wide  longitudinal  stripe  of  dark-brown,  which  color  predominates 
on  the  back  ;  under  parts  paler,  frequently  nearly  white  on  the  abdomen^  with 
longitudinal  stripes  of  brownish-black,  most  numerous  on  the  breast,  very  narrow 
and  less  numerous  on  the  abdomen  and  flanks  ;  legs  and  toes  usually  of  a  deeper 
shade  of  the  same  color  as  the  abdomen  ;  quills  pale  reddish- fulvous  at  their  bases, 
brown  at  their  ends,  with  wide  irregular  bands  and  large  spots  of  reddish-fulvous ; 
tail  pale  reddish-fulvous,  with  about  five  irregular  transverse  bands  of  dark-brown, 
which  color  predominates  on  the  two  central  feathers;  under  tail  coverts  usually 
nearly  white  ;  throat  white  ;  eyes  enclosed  by  large  spots  of  brownish-black  ;  ear- 
tufts  brown,  edged  with  fulvous  ;  bill  and  claws  dark  ;  irides  yellow. 

Total  length  :  Female,  about  15  inches ;  wing,  12  ;  tail,  6  inches.  Male,  rat  her 
smaller. 

Hab.— Throughout  North  America  ;  nearly  cosmopolitan. 

The  vulgar  name  of  Marsh  Owl  is  quite  appropriate,  as  this  species 
frequents  mostly  during  is  sojourn  in  this  region  marshy  districts  and 
grass  fields.  Sometimes  small  parties  of  five,  eight  or  even  ten  indi- 
viduals, will  be  found  in  favorite  grassy  retreats. 

According  to  my  observation  the  Short-eared  Owl  occurs  in  Penn- 
sylvania as  a  tolerably  common  winter  resident,  arriving  from  more 
northern  latitudes,  early  in  November  and  departing  early  in  April. 
Turnbull,  in  his  u  Birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania,"  records  it  as  a  win- 
ter resident,  u  not  uncommon."  The  Messrs.  Baird  speak  of  it  as 
"  abundant ;  not  seen  in  summer,"  and  Dr.  Michener  says  :  "  Resi- 
dent, frequent  in  winter;  rare  in  summer."  Audubon  found  a  nest  of 
this  Owl  in  Pennsylvania  on  one  of  the  high  mountain  ridges  of  the 
Great  Pine  Forest  on  June  17.  In  reference  to  this  "  find  "  he  writes : 
"  It  contained  four  eggs,  nearly  ready  to  be  hatched.  They  were  of  a 
dull  bluish-white,  of  a  somewhat  elongated  or  elliptical  form,  meas- 
uring an  inch  and  a  half  in  length,  and  an  inch  and  an  eighth  in 
breadth.  The  nest  was  placed  under  a  low  bush,  and  covered  over  by 
tall  grass,  through  which  a  path  had  been  made  by  the  bird.  It  was 
formed  of  dry  grass,  raked  together  in  a  slovenly  manner  and  quite 
flat,  but  covering  a  large  space,  on  one  side  of  which  were  found  many 
pellets*  and  two  field  mice.  I  should  never  have  discovered  their  nest 
had  not  the  sitting  bird  made  a  noise  by  clicking  its  bill  as  I  was 
passing  close  by.  The  poor  thing  was  so  intent  on  her  task  that  1 
almost  put  my  hand  on  her  before  she  moved;  and  then,  instead  of 
flying  off,  she  hopped  with  great  leaps  until  about  ten  yards  from  me, 
keeping  up  a  constant  clicking  of  her  mandibles.  Having  satisfied 
myself  as  to  the  species,  made  an  outline  of  two  of  the  eggs  and  meas- 
ured them,  I  proceeded  slowly  to  a  short  distance  and  watched  her 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


109 


movements.  Having  remained  silent  and  still  for  about  ten  minutes, 
I  saw  her  hop  toward  the  nest,  and  soon  felt  assured  she  had  resumed 
her  task." 

L.  M.  Turner,  the  Arctic  explorer,  in  his  u  Contributions  to  the  Nat- 
ural History  of  Alaska"  says :  "  Among  the  natives  of  the  Yukon 
District  the  liver  of  this  bird  is  used  as  a  love-philter.  The  liver  is 
dried  and  reduced  to  a  powder,  and  placed,  unknown  to  the  person  to 
whom  the  philter  is  to  be  administered,  in  some  food.  On  eating  the 
food  the  desired  affection  is  supposed  to  make  itself  evident.  I  knew 
of  an  incident  where  a  native  endeavored,  by  this  means,  to  regain 
the  affection  of  his  wife.  The  mother-in-law  had  more  potency  than 
dried  Owl-liver,  and  as  she  controlled  her  daughter  the  philter  was  as 
naught.  It  is  administered  indifferently,  by  man  or  woman,  and  is 
frequently  used  by  the  Eskimo." 

FOOD. 

Nuttall  says :  "  Its  food  is  almost  exclusively  mice,  for  which  it 
watches,  seated  on  a  stump,  with  all  the  vigilance  of  a  cat,  listening 
attentively  to  the  low  squeak  of  its  prey,  to  which  it  is  so  much  alive 
as  to  be  sometimes  brought  in  sight  by  imitating  the  sound."  In  the 
gorged  pellets  of  this  species  examined  by  Audubon,  he  found  the 
remains  of  bones  of  small  quadrupeds,  mixed  with  hair,  and  remains 
of  various  beetles. 


No, 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 
3 
4 

Jan.  4,  1880,  . 
Jan.  5,  1880,  . 
March  17,  1882,  . 
Nov.  13,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  
Chester  county,  Pa.,  
Purchased  at  Phila,  Market,  .  . 
Delaware  county,  Pa.,  .  .  .  *  . 

Field  mice. 
Field  mice. 
Field  mice. 
Field  mice. 

5 
6 

Nov.  7,  1883,  . 
Nov  1,  1885, 

Cecil  county,  Md,,  
Chester  county,  Pa.,  

Field  mice. 
Beetles  and  field  mice. 

7 

March  1886 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Beetles  and  field  mice. 

8 
9 

Nov.  21,  1886,  . 
Nov  25  1886 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  
Chester  county,  Pa., 

Field  mice. 
Field  mice. 

10 
11 

Nov.  27,  1886,  . 
Dec.  8,  1886,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  
Chester  county,  .Pa.,  

Field  mice. 
Field  mice. 

GENUS  SYRNIUM.     SAVIGNY. 
368.  Syrnium  nebulosum  (FORST.). 

Barred  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Head  large,  without  ear-tufts:  tail  rather  long  ;  upper  parts  light  ashy-brown,  fre- 
quently tinged  with  dull-yellow,  with  transverse  narrow  bands  of  white,  most  nu- 
merous on  the  head  and  neck  behind,  broader  on  the  back  ;  breast  with  transverse 
bands  of  brown  and  white  ;  abdomen  ashy-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  brown  ; 
tarsi  and  toes  ashy-white,  tinged  with  fulvous,  general!}*  without  spots,  but  fre- 
quently mottled  and  handed  w*ith  dark-brown  :  quills  brown,  with  six  or  seven 


110  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

transverse  bars,  nearly  pure-white  on  the  outer  webs,  and  ashy-fulvous  on  the  inner 
webs ;  tail  light-brown,  with  about  five  bands  of  white,  generally  tinged  with  reddish- 
yellow  ;  discal  feathers*  tipped  with  white  ;  face  ashy-white,  with  lines  of  brown,  and 
a  spot  of  black  in  front  of  the  eye ;  throat  dark-brown  ;  claws  horn-color  ;  bill  yellow ; 
irides  bluish-black.  Sexes  alike. 

Total  length  about  20  inches  ;  extent  about  44 ;  wing,  13  to  14  ;  tail,  9  inches. 

ffab. —Eastern  United  States,  west  to  Minnesota  and  Texas,  north  to  Xova  Scotia 
and  Quebec. 

The  Barred  Owl  is  readily  distinguished  from  other  species  by  its 
large  size,  yellow-colored  bill  and  its  black  eyes.  Barred  Owls  are 
exceedingly  abundant  in  many  of  the  Southern  States,  where  they 
are  known  by  the  names  of  u  Hoot  and  Swamp  Owls."  In  Pennsyl- 
vania, I  have  found  this  species  to  be  a  tolerably  common  resident 
during  the  winter,  when  they  are  observed  frequenting,  chiefly,  wooded 
districts.  Wilson  says:  uln  winter,  particularly,  it  is  numerous  in 
the  lower  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  among  the  woods  that  border  the 
extensive  meadows  of  the  Schuylkill  and  Delaware.  It  is  very  fre- 
quently observed  flying  during  the  day,  and  certainly  sees  more  dis- 
tinctly at  that  time  than  many  of  its  family.  In  one  spring,  at  differ- 
ent times,  I  met  with  more  than  forty  of  them,  generally  flying  or 
sitting  exposed.  I  also  once  met  with  one  of  their  nests,  containing 
three  young,  in  the  crotch  of  a  white  oak,  among  thick  foliage.  The 
nest  was  rudely  put  together,  composed  outwardly  of  sticks,  inter- 
mixed with  some  dry  grass  and  leaves,  and  lined  with  smaller  twigs." 
The  Barred  and  Great-Horned  Owls  are  the  only  species,  in  this  lo- 
cality, whose  depredations  in  the  poultry  yard  bring  them  to  the  no- 
tice of  the  farmer.  Unfortunately,  however,  the  hatred  towards  these 
two  birds,  and  particularly  the  enmity  against  the  Great- Horned  Owls, 
has  brought  all  our  owls  in  bad  favor ;  the  farmer's  boy  and  sports- 
man, with  few  exceptions,  leave  no  opportunity  pass  to  pillage  an  owl's 
nest  or  slay  its  owners.  In  this  way,  there  are  annually  destroyed 
large  numbers  of  the  Screech,  Long  and  Short-eared  species,  simply 
because  the  popular  idea  is  that  owls,  large  and  small^  prey  only  on 
poultry  and  game. 

FOOD. 

Wilson  says,  although  mice  and  small  game  are  the  most  usual  food 
of  Barred  Owls,  they  sometimes  seize  on  fowls,  partridges  and  young 
rabbits.  "  A  specimen  that  I  kept  alive  for  a  few  weeks,  often,  in  the 
daytime,  flew  about  the  room  in  which  his  cage  was  placed :  he  alighted 
with  ease  on  the  backs  of  chairs,  or  on  other  pieces  of  furniture ;  sel- 
dom miscalculating  the  distance  or  missing  a  footing,  as  many  of  the 
other  owls  would  in  the  same  circumstances.  This  bird  soon  became 
tame,  and  would  accept  food  at  almost  any  time  in  the  day  or  night ;  on 
receiving  a  piece  of  meat,  he  sometimes  attempted  to  clutch  it  with  his 
foot,  and  my  fingers  often  had  narrow  escapes  from  his  sharp,  crooked 

*  Radiating-  feathers  surrounding-  the  eyes. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Ill 


talons.  Usually,  he  would  seize  it  with  his  mouth,  and,  if  not  too 
large,  swallow  it  without  tearing;  if  the  piece  was  more  bulky  than 
he  could  manage,  he  stood  on  it,  and  tore  it  with  his  beak.  Fish  he 
invariably  rejected,  but  greedily  ate  mice  and  small  birds;  a  dead 
pigeon  that  I  put  in  his  cage  was  untouched  for  several  days.  *  * 

"The  Barred  Owl  subsists  principally  upon  small  birds,  field-mice 
and  reptiles.  He  is  frequently  seen,  in  early  twilight,  flying  over  the 
low  meadow-lands,  searching  for  the  mice  that  dwell  there ;  he  usually 
takes  a  direct  course,  and  sometimes  flies  so  low  that  the  tips  of  his 
wings  seem  to  touch  the  grass.  When  he  discovers  his  prey,  he  drops 
on  it  instantly,  folding  his  wings  and  protruding  his  feet,  in  which  his 
quarry  is  always  secured ;  he  often  captures  frogs  that  are  sitting  on 
the  shores  of  ponds  and  rivers ;  but  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the 
statement,  quoted  by  Audubon,  that  he  often  catches  fish,  is  incor- 
rect."— Samuels* 

The  Florida  Barred  Owl — a  local  race,  technically  called  Syrnium 
nebulosum  alleni — is  exceedingly  abundant  about  the  almost  impene- 
trable swamps  and  heavily  timbered  regions  along  the  St.  John's 
river.  In  the  winter  of  1885,  I  was  informed  by  two  residents  of 
Florida,  both  gentlemen  whom  I  consider  thoroughly  trustworthy, 
that  this  owl  frequently  preys  on  fish,  which  it  secures,  while  sitting 
close  to  the  water's  edge,  by  a  dextrous  movement  of  the  foot.  The 
stomach  contents  of  five  of  these  Florida  Owls,  which  I  examined, 
consisted  only  of  the  remains  of  small  birds  and  coleopterous  insects. 

Referring  to  this  species,  Nuttall  says :  *'  Their  food  is  principally 
rabbits,  squirrels,  grouse,  quails,  rats,  mice  and  frogs.  From  neces- 
sity, as  well  as  choice,  they  not  unfrequently  appear  around  the  farm- 
house and  garden,  in  quest  ol  poultry,  particularly  young  chickens. 
At  these  times  they  prowl  abroad  towards  evening,  and  fly  low  and 
steadily  about,  as  if  beating  for  their  prey.  In  Alabama,  Georgia, 
West  Florida  and  Louisiana,  where  they  abound,  they  are  often  to  be 
seen  abroad  by  day,  particularly  in  cloudy  weather,  and  at  times  even 
soar  and  fly  with  all  the  address  of  diurnal  birds  of  prey." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-M  ATEBIA  L.S. 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 

t) 
7 

8 

Oct.     28,  1879,     . 
Nov.  17,  1879,    . 
Jan.    —  ,  1880,    . 
Jan.    11,  1881,    . 
Jan.    20,  1883,    . 

Jan.    12,  1884,    . 
Dec.    16,  1886, 
Nov.  18,  1887,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
Cecil  county,  Md., 

Field-mice  and  beetles. 
Beetles  and  small  bird  (Robin). 
Field-mice. 
Remains  of  chicken  and  field  mice. 
Field-mice  and  small  bird  (Meadow 
Lark). 
Beetles  and  chicken  feathers. 
Remains  of  rabbit  (Lepus). 
Fragments  of  beetles  and  bones  of 
small  mammal. 

*Our  Northern  and  Eastern  Birds,  by  E.  A.  Samuels,  p.  74. 


112  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

x 

GENUS  NYCTAL.A.     BREHM. 
372. .  Nyctala  acadica  (GMEL.). 

Acadian  Owl;    Saw-whet  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Small;  wings  long;  tail  short;  upper  parts  reddish-brown,  tinged  with  olive;  head 
in  front  with  fine  lines  of  white,  and  on  the  neck  behind,  rump,  and  scapulars,  with 
large,  partially  concealed  spots  of  white ;  face  ashy-white ;  throat  white  ;  under  parts 
ashy-white,  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  paie  reddish-brown ;  under  coverts  of  wings 
and  tail  white  ;  quills  brown,  with  small  spots  of  white  on  their  outer  edges,  and 
large  spots  of  the  same  on  their  inner  webs  ;  tail  brown,  every  feather  with  about 
three  pairs  of  spots  of  white  ;  bill  and  claws  dark  ;  irides  yellow. 

Total  length  about  7§  to  8  inches ;  extent  about  18;  wing  5|  ;  tail  2£  to  3  inches. 
Sexes  nearly  the  same  size  and  alike  in  colors. 

Hob. — North  America  at  large  ;  breeding  from  Middle  States  northward. 

The  Acadian  is  the  smallest  Owl  found- in  the  United  States  east  of 
the  Mississippi  river.  Although  apparently  larger,  it  is  in  reality 
smaller,  than  our  common  Robin.  This  pigmy  mass  of  owl-life  is,  I 
suppose,  the  species  which  was  regarded  as  not  destructive  to  poultry 
and  game,  by  the  author  of  the  "  Scalp  Act,"  when  he  introduced 
therein  a  clause  exempting  "  The  Arcadian  Screech  or  Barn  Owl." 
From  the  fact,  however,  that  the  decapitated  heads  of  Pheasants,* 
Night  Hawks,  and  doubtless  other  birds,  were  cremated  and  paid  for 
as  the  heads  of  destructive,  rapacious  u  Hawks,"  it  is  but  reasonable 
to  suppose  that  our  little  Acadian  Owl,  when  found  by  the  eager 
scalp  hunter,  was  generally  slain,  and  the  bounty  of  fifty  cents  given 
"for  the  benefit  of  agriculture  and  for  the  protection  of  game." 

The  name  of  Saw- whet  is  applied  to  this  bird  because,  at  times,  its 
squeaky  voice  resembles  the  whetting  or  filing  of  a  saw.  Owing  to 
the  small  size  of  this  Owl,  together  with  the  fact  that  during  the  day- 
time it  remains  secreted  in  hollow  trees,  thick  foliage  or  in  dark  and 
secluded  rocky  retreats,  it  is  seldom  met  with,  hence  is  regarded  as 
one  of  our  rarest  residents.  The  young  of  this  bird,  taken  in  the 
vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  have  been  seen  by  Prof.  Gentry,  and  in  E.  A. 
Samuel's  work,  u  Our  Northern  and  Eastern  Birds,"  the  following  in- 
teresting account  is  given,  by  Mr.  Richard  Christ,  of  a  nest  that  he 
found  April  25,  1867,  at  Nazareth,  Pennsylvania : 

"  This,  the  smallest  of  all  our  Owls,  is  also  the  most  rare,  but  a  sin- 
gle specimen  being  seen  in  a  period  of  several  years.  It  is  very  tame 
when  found,  permitting  one  to  approach-  very  close  to  it  before  flying 


*In  December,  1886,  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird  informed  me  that  he  had  received  for  identification, 
from  one  or  more  counties  in  Pennsylvania,  the  heads  of  Pheasants  (Bonasa  umbellus).  These 
heads  were  called  by  the  parties  sending  them  to  Prof.  Baird  "  Hawk  heads,"  and  as  such  they 
had  been  presented  for  the  fifty -cent  bounty,  which  had  been  paid.  Prof.  Baird  also  examined 
some  Pennsylvania  "wolf  scalps,"  on  which  premiums  had  been  given,  and  ascertained  that  the 
so-cailed  "wolf  scalps  "  had  been  fashioned  from  pelts  of  the  common  Red  Fox  ( Vulpes  fuliws). 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA.  113 

away.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  it  sees  less  in  the  daytime  than  any 
other  species  of  our  Owls,  lor  one  can  touch  it  without  being  noticed, 
the  bird  taking  flight  more  from  alarm  to  its  sense  of  hearing  than  any 
other  cause. 

u  It  generally  frequents  stone  quarries  or  piles  of  rocks,  beneath 
which  it  takes  shelter;  and  it  is  from  this  habit  that  the  bird  here  is 
known  by  the  name  of  "  Stone  Owl."  On  the  25th  of  April,  1867, 1 
was  so  fortunate  as  to  find  the  nest  of  one  of  these  birds.  It  was 
placed  or  located  in  the  hollow  of  a  tree,  about  twenty  feet  from  the 
ground ;  the  entrance  to  the  hole  was  very  small,  scarcely  two  inches 
in  diameter.  On  climbing  the  tree  and  looking  in  the  hollow,  I  dis- 
covered sitting  on  the  bottom  what  I  supposed  might  be  a  small  Owl. 
Uncertain  as  to  the  truth,  I  introduced  a  small  stick  into  the  hole,  and 
turned  the  bird  over  upon  her  side,  she  making  no  struggle  whatever, 
but  remaining  perfectly  still  as  if  dead.  I  discovered  that  she  was 
sitting  upon  a  single  egg.  Supposing  that  she  had  but  just  com- 
menced laying,  I  left  her,  and  did  not  molest  her  again  for  several 
days;  on  the  fifth  day  after,  I  again  examined  the  nest,  and  found 
the  bird  on  her  egg.  none  other  having  been  laid.  I  enlarged  the 
hole,  and  took  the  egg,  leaving  the  Owl  quietly  sitting  on  the  rotten 
chips  which  formed  the  bottom  of  the  nest. 

u  The  egg  was  white,  with  a  bluish  tint,  like  many  of  the  other 
Owls'  eggs,  nearly  globular  in  form,  and  considerably  smaller  than  the 
egg  of  the  Red  or  Mottled  Owl." 

Dr.  Elliott  Coues,  in  his  u  Birds  of  the  North-west,  says  :  li  Mr.  Gen- 
try informs  me  of  a  curious  circumstance  in  regard  to  this  Owl.  Re- 
ferring to  the  association  of  the  Burrowing  Owl  of  the  West  with  the 
prairie  dog,  he  continues  :  '  In  the  hollow  of  an  oak  tree,  not  far  from 
Oermantown,  lives  an  individual  of  the  common  chickaree  squirrel 
(Sciurus  hudsonius),  with  a  specimen  of  this  little  Owl  as  his  sole 
-companion.  They  occupy  the  same  hole  together  in  perfect  harmony 
and  mutual  goodwill.  It  is  not  an  accidental,  temporary  association, 
for  the  bird  and  the  squirrel  have  repeatedly  been  observed  to  enter 
the  same  hole  together,  as  if  they  had  always  shared  the  apartment. 
But  what  benefit  can  either  derive  from  the  other  ?' " 

FOOD. 

This  little  Owl,  although  sometimes  known  to  prey  on  small  quad- 
rupeds, principally  mice,  and  at  times  on  small  birds,  such  as  sparrows 
and  warblers,  subsists  mainly  on  the  larger  species  of  insects  which  it 
is  able  to  secure  in  its  nocturnal  wanderings. 


8  BIKDS. 


114 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 

Aug.  30,  1879, 
Nov.  11,  1881, 
Nov.  10,  1883, 
Nov.  10,  1883, 
Sept.  20,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Delaware  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,'  Pa.  .  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   . 

Grasshoppers. 
Beetles. 
Grasshoppers. 
Beetles  and  other  insects. 
Mouse  and  insects. 

GENUS  MEGASCOPS.     KAUP. 

373.  Megascops  asio.  (LiNN.). 

• 

Screech  Owl ;  Red  Owl ;  Mottled  Owl ;  Gray  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION.     {Plate  18.) 

Adult  or  young  Screech  Owls  may  be  either  red  or  gray  in  color.  The  nestlings 
are  white.  This  species  measures  about  10  inches  in  length  ;  extent  of  wings  about 
22  inches. 

Hab.—  Temperate  eastern  North  America,  south  to  Georgia  and  west  to  the  plains. 
Accidental  in  England. 

This  handsome  little  owl  is  the  most  common  of  all  owls  found  in 
Pennsylvania.  It  is  a  resident,  but  unlike  the  Long-eared  species,  is 
not  gregarious.  Its  almost  spherical  and  white  eggs — from  four  to  six 
in  number  (mostly  four) — are  deposited  in  a  hollow  tree.  A  tree  in 
an  apple  orchard  is  frequently  made  use  of  for  breeding  purposes,  as 
well  as  a  common  diurnal  resort  at  all  seasons.  The  eggs  measure 
about  1.33  by  1.18  inches.  This  bird,  when  taken  from  the  nest  and 
raised,  makes  a  very  interesting  pet,  one  that  not  only  becomes  at- 
tached to  its  master,  but  which  also  is  capable  of  rendering  him  most 
efficient  services  in  the  destruction  of  mice,  whose  vexatious  ravages 
are  frequently  so  annoying.  Some  few  years  ago  an  acquaintance  of 
mine  placed  two  of  these  birds  in  his  cellar  which  was  overrun  with 
mice,  and  in  a  few  weeks  the  place  was  depopulated  of  these  little 
four-footed  pests. 

A  Screech  Owl  which  I  kept  for  several  months  in  captivity  fed 
eagerly  on  grasshoppers  and  pieces  of  fresh  beef.  When  a  mouse  was 
given  to  this  bird  it  would  seize  it  with  its  claws,  and  after  severing 
with  its  bill  the  skin  about  the  head  and  neck,  would  swallow  the 
whole  mass,  always,  I  think,  head  foremost.  When  it  fed  on  small 
birds — which  were  frequently  shot  and  placed  in  its  box — but  which 
it  would  seldom  touch,  I  noticed  that  it  generally  tore  open  the  skull 
and  eat  the  brain  substance.  This  owl  would  never  drink  water. 

The  flight  of  the  Mottled  Owl  is  smooth,  rapid,  protracted  and 
noiseless.  It  rises  at  times  above  the  top  branches  of  the  highest  of 
our  forest  trees  whilst  in  pursuit  of  large  beetles ;  and  at  other  times 
sails  low  and  swiftly  over  the  fields,  or  through  the  woods,  in  search 


Plate  18. 


natural  size. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  115 

of  small  birds,  field  mice,  moles  or  wood  rats,  from  which  it  chiefly 
derives  its  subsistence.  *  Sometimes  on  alighting,  which  it  does 
plumply,  the  Mottled  Owl  immediately  bends  its  body,  turns  its  head 
to  look  behind  it,  performs  a  curious  nod,  utters  its  notes,  then  shakes 
and  plumes  itself,  and  resumes  its  flight  in  search  of  prey.  It  now 
and  then,  while  on  the  wing,  produces  a  clicking  sound  with  its  man- 
dibles, but  more  frequently  when  perched  near  its  mate  or  young. 
This  I  have  thought  was  done  by  the  bird  to  manifest  its  courage,  and 
let  the  hearer  know  that  it  is  not  to  be  meddled  with ;  although  few 
birds  of  prey  are  more  gentle  when  seized,  as  it  will  suffer  a  person  to 
touch  its  feathers  and  caress  it  without  attempting  to  bite  or  strike  with 
its  talons,  unless  at  rare  intervals. 

"  The  notes  of  this  Owl  are  uttered  in  a  tremulous,  doleful  manner, 
and  somewhat  resemble  the  chattering  of  the  teeth  of  a  person  under 
the  influence  of  extreme  cold,  although  much  louder.  They  are 
heard  at  a  distance  of  several  hundred  yards,  and  by  some  people*  are 
thought  to  be  of  ominous  import." 

"  The  little  fellow  is  generally  found  about  farm-houses,  orchards 
and  gardens.  It  alights  on  the  roof,  the  fence  or  the  garden  gate,  and 
utters  its  mournful  ditty,  at  intervals,  for  hours  at  a  time,  as  if  it  were 
in  a  state  of  great  suffering,  although  this  is  far  from  being  the  case — 
the  song  of  all  birds  being  an  indication  of  content  and  happiness.  In 
a  state  of  confinement  it  utters  its  notes  with  as  much  satisfaction  as 
if  at  liberty.  They  are  chiefly  heard  during  the  latter  part  of  winter — 
that  being  the  season  of  love,  when  the  male  bird  is  particularly  at- 
tentive to  the  fair  one,  which  excites  his  tender  emotions,  and  around 
which  he  flies  and  struts  much  in  the  manner  of  the  common  Pigeon, 
adding  numerous  nods  and  bows,  the  sight  of  which  is  very  amusing." 
— Audubon. 

Prof.  Samuel  Aughey  in  his  "  Notes  on  the  Nature  of  the  Food  of 
the  Birds  of  Nebraska,"  says  the  Screech  Owl  is  largely  an  insect-eat- 
ing bird.  Mr.  L.  M.  Turner  informs  me  that  he  has  made  a  number 
of  examinations  of  Screech  Owls  captured  in  Illinois,  and  very  gen- 
erally found  their  food  consisted  of  such  insects  as  the  larger  beetles 
and  grasshoppers,  also  many  mice.  Grasshoppers  and  other  orthop- 
terous  insects  are  devoured  in  large  quantities  by  these  birds. 

During  the  summer  months  and  at  other  times  when  insect  life  is 
abundant  the  Screech  Owls  subsist  mainly  on  an  insect  diet.  These 
birds  also  prey  on  mice,  shrews,  other  small  quadrupeds  and  small 
birds  In  the  twenty- seven  stomach  examinations,  which  I  have  re- 
corded of  birds,  taken  principally  in  the  winter  season,  seventeen  had 
fed  on  mice  and  insects ;  five,  small  birds ;  three,  mice  and  insects ; 
two,  small  birds  and  insects. 


116  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GENUS  BUBO.     OUVIER. 
375.  Bubo  virginianus  (GMEL.). 

Great  Horned  Owl ;  Hoot  Owl. 

(Plate  19.} 

Length,  about  25  inches ;  extent  of  wings,  about  58  inches. 

Hob. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  from  Labrador 
south  to  Cosia  Rica. 

This  well-known  and  rather  common  inhabitant  of  the  forests  can 
easily  be  recognized  by  its  large  size,  the  conspicuous  white  feathers 
of  the  throat  and  the  long  ear-tufts  which  measure  2£  inches  or  more 
in  length.  The  Great  Horned,  the  largest  of  all  our  native  Owls,  is 
the  first  to  commence  nesting.  I  have  found  its  eggs  in  February,  and 
am  told  that  it  occasionally  lays  in  January.  In  this  locality  the 
Great  Horned  Owl  seldom  breeds  in  hollow  trees  ;  sometimes  it  con- 
structs a  rude  and  bulky  nest  of  sticks,  lined  with  grasses  and  feathers, 
on  the  large  horizontal  limbs  of  trees  in  its  favorite  wooded  retreats. 
Its  eggs,  measuring  about  2£  inches  in  length  by  2  inches  in  width, 
are  mostly  deposited  in  the  deserted  nests  of  Hawks  or  Crows. 
Although  it  is  stated  by  different  writers  that  this  species  lays  four  or 
more  eggs,  I  have  never  found,  in  seven  nests  examined,  over  two  eggs 
or  a  like  number  of  young.  Mr.  Thomas  H.  Jackson,  of  West  Chester, 
Pa.,  writing  in  the  Ornithologist  and  Oologist,  June,  1886,  says:  "In 
thirteen  nests  of  this  bird  that  have  come  under  personal  notice,  twelve 
contained  two  eggs,  or  young,  and  only  one  contained  three  eggs.  All 
the  nests  referred  to  above  were  placed  in  branches  of  trees,  and  were 
generally  those  of  Hawks  or  Crows,  renovated  or  enlarged.  Occa- 
sionally a  hollow  tree  is  used  for  this  purpose.  Upon  one  occasion  I 
replaced  the  Owl's  eggs  taken  from  a  nest  with  those  of  the  common 
hen,  and  upon  visiting  them  at  the  expiration  of  three  weeks,  found 
that  both  the  latter  had  been  hatched  and  had  fallen  from  the  nest, 
about  twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  and  that  the  Owls  had  deserted 
the  locality.  The  Great  Horned  Owls  are  liberal  providers  for  their 
young.  I  have  frequently  found  full  grown  rabbits  lying  in  the  nest 
beside  the  young,  and  scarcely  a  nest  visited  did  not  have  a  strong 
odor  of  skunk,  while  bones  and  feathers  were  scattered  around  attest- 
ing to  the  predacious  habits  of  the  proprietors."  The  flight  of  the  Great 
Horned  Owl  is  elevated,  rapid  and  graceful.  It  sails  with  apparent 
ease  and  in  large  circles,  in  the  manner  of  an  eagle,  rises  and  descends 
without  the  least  difficulty,  by  merely  inclining  its  wings  or  its  tail  as 
it  passes  through,  the  air.  Now  and  then  it  glides  silently  close  over 
the  earth  with  incomparable  velocity,  and  drops,  as  if  shot  dead,  on 
the  prey  beneath.  At  other  times,  it  suddenly  alights  on  the  top  of  a 
fence  stake  or  a  dead  stump,  shakes  its  feathers,  arranges  them,  and 


Plate  19. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  117 

utters  a  shriek  so  horrid  that  the  woods  around  echo  to  its  dismal 
sound.  u  Now,  it  seems  as  if  you  heard  the  barking  of  a  cur  dog; 
again  the  notes  are  so  rough  and  mingled  together  that  they  might  be 
mistaken  for  the  last  gurglings  of  a  murdered  person  striving  in  vain 
to  call  for  assistance ;  at  another  time,  when  not  more  than  fifty  yards 
distant,  it  utters  its  more  usual  hoo,  hoo,  hoo-e,in  so  peculiar  an  under- 
tone that  a  person  unacquainted  with  the  notes  of  this  species  might 
easily  conceive  them  to  be  produced  by  an  Owl  more  than  a  mile  dis- 
tant. During  the  utterance  of  all  these  unmusical  cries  it  moves  its 
body,  and  more  particularly  its  head,  in  various  ways,  putting  them 
into  positions,  all  of  which  appear  to  please  it  much,  however  gro- 
tesque they  may  seem  to  the  eye  of  man.  In  the  interval  following 
each  cry,  it  snaps  its  bill." — Audubon. 

These  Owls,  like  the  preceding  species,  are  not  migratory  and  when 
not  engaged  in  breeding  lead  a  solitary  existence.  Although  chiefly 
nocturnal  in  habits,  Great  Horned  Owls  are  often  seen  in  cloudy 
weather  and  in  the  early  twilight  searching  for  food.  On  one  occa- 
sion, when  the  sun  was  shining  brightly  (about  10  A.  M.),  I  saw  one  of 
these  owls  make  two  attempts  to  catch  a  hen  and  her  young  chicks. 

FOOD. 

Audubon  says :  Its  food  consists  chiefly  of  the  larger  species  of 
gallinaceous  birds,  half-grown  Wild  Turkeys,  Pheasants  and  domestic 
poultry  of  all  kinds,  together  with  several  species  of  ducks.  Hares, 
young  opossums  and  squirrels  are  equally  agreeable  to  it,  and  when- 
ever chance  throws  a  dead  fish  on  the  shore  the  Great  Horned  Owl 
feeds  with  peculiar  avidity  on  it." 

Gentry,  in  Life  Histories  of  Birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  says: 
u  The  food  of  this  species  consists  of  small  quadrupeds,  small  birds 
and  insects.  The  poultry-yards  are  not  safe  from  its  nocturnal  rav- 
ages. Instances  are  known  where,  in  the  course  of  a  few  nights,  entire 
roosts  have  been  completely  destroyed.  The  food  of  the  young  at 
first  consists  of  fragments  of  the  animals  and  reptiles  taken  captive, 
besides  various  lepidopterous  and  coleopterous  insects.1' 

Nuttall  tells  us  they  usually  prey  on  young  rabbits,  squirrels,  rats, 
mice,  quails  and  small  birds  of  various  kinds ;  and  when  these  resources 
fail  or  diminish,  they  occasionally  prowl  pretty  boldly  around  the 
farm-yard  in  quest  of  chickens,  which  they  seize  on  the  roost. 

Nuttall  further  writes :  My  friend  Dr.  Boykin,  of  Georgia,  says  a 
Great  Horned  Owl,  prowling  around  his  premises,  saw  a  cat  dozing  on 
the  roof  of  a  smoke-house,  and  supposing  grimalkin  a  more  harmless, 
rabbit-like  animal  than  appeared  in  the  sequel,  blindly  snatched  her 
up  in  his  talons,  but,  finding  he  had  caught  a  Tartar,  it  was  not  long 
before  he  allowed  puss  once  more  to  tread  the  ground." 


118  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

My  own  records  of  sixteen  examinations  of  Great  Horned  Owls, 
which,  with  one  exception,  were  all  taken  during  the  winter  months, 
revealed  in  eleven  individuals  only  remains  of  poultry ;  two  others, 
portions  of  rabbits,  and  of  the  three  remaining  birds  of  this  series  it 
was  found  that  one  had  taken  two  mice ;  another  showed  small  amount 
of  hair,  apparently  that  of  an  opoSsum.  The  sixteenth  and  last  bird 
contained  a  mouse  and  parts  of  beetles. 

GENUS  NYCTEA.     STEPHENS. 
376.    Nyctea  nyctea  (LINN.). 

Snowy  Owl. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  nearly  concealed  by  projecting  plumes;  eyes  large;  entire  plumage  white, 
frequently  with  a  few  spots  or  imperfect  bands,  only  on  the  upper  parts  dark-brown, 
and  on  the  under  parts  with  a  few  irregular  and  imperfect  bars  of  the  same  ;  quills 
and  tail  with  a  few  spots  or  traces  of  bands  of  the  same  dark-brown  ;  the  prevalence 
of  the  dark-brown  color  varies  much  in  different  specimens  ;  frequently  both  upper 
and  under  parts  are  very  distinctly  banded  transversely,  and  sometimes  this  color 
predominates  on  the  back  ;  plumage  of  the  legs  and  toes  pure  snowy-white  ;  bill 
and  claws  horn-color  ;  irides  yellow. 

Length  about  23  inches  ;  extent  of  wings  about  4|  feet. 

Hob. — Northern  portions  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere.  In  North  America,  breed- 
ing mostly  north  of  the  United  States;  in  winter  migrating  south  to  the  Middle 
States,  straggling  to  South  Carolina,  Texas  and  the  Bermudas. 

The  Snowy  Owl  rendered  so  conspicuous  by  its  large  size  and  white 
plumage  is  a  native  chiefly  of  the  Arctic  regions.  This  Owl  is  found 
in  Pennsylvania  only  as  a  winter  visitant.  Although  specimens  are 
taken  nearly  every  winter,  this  species  is  most  frequently  observed 
during  excessively  severe  winters. 

Wilson  says  :  "  Unlike  most  of  his  tribe  he  hunts  by  day  as  well 
as  by  twilight,  and  is  particularly  fond  of  frequenting  the  shores  and 
banks  of  shallow  rivers,  over  the  surface  of  which  he  slowly  sails,  or 
sits  on  a  rock  a  little  raised  above  the  water  watching  for  fish.  These 
he  seizes  with  a  sudden  and  instantaneous  stroke  of  the  foot,  seldom 
missing  his  aim."  Nuttall  writes :  u  He  ventures  abroad  boldly  at 
all  seasons,  and  like  the  Hawks,  seeks  his  prey  by  daylight  as  well 
as  dark,  skimming  aloft  and  reconnoitring  his  prey,  which  is  com- 
monly the  White  Grouse,  or  some  other  birds  of  the  same  genus,  as 
well  as  hares.  On  these  he  darts  from  above,  and  rapidly  seizes  them 
in  his  resistless  talons.  At  times  he  watches  for  fish,  and  condescends 
also  to  prey  upon  rats,  mice  and  even  carrion." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 
3 

Winter,  1879,    .   .    . 
Winter,  1879,    .    .    . 
Dec.  16,  1885,    .    .    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    .    . 
Delaware  county,  Pa.,      .    . 

Rabbit. 
Meat,  apparently  beef. 
Common  rat. 

BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  119 

ORDER  COCCYGES.    CUCKOOS. 

* 

SUBORDER  CUCULI.     CUCKOOS. 

• 

FAMILY  CUCULnXffi.     CUCKOO&,  ANIS 
SUBFAMILY  COCCYGIN^G.    AMERICAN  CUCKOOS. 

GENUS  COCCYZUS.     VIEILLGT. 
387.    Coccyzus  americanus  (LINN.). 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Upper  mandible  and  tip  of  lower  black ;  rest  of  lower  mandible,  and  cutting 
edges  of  the  upper  yellow ;  upper  parts  of  a  metallic  greenish-olive,  slightly  tinged 
with  ash  towards  the  bill ;  beneath  white  ;  tail  feathers  (except  the  medium,  which 
are  like  the  back)  black,  tipped  with  white  for  about  an  inch  on  the  outer  feathers, 
the  external  one  with  the  outer  edge  almost  entirely  white ;  quills  orange-cinna 
mon  ;  the  terminal  portion  and  a  gloss  on  the  outer  webs  olive  ;  iris  brown.  Length 
12  inches  ;  wing  5.95  ;  tail  6.35. 

Hab.  —Temperate  North  America,  from  New  Brunswick,  Canada,  Minnesota, 
Nevada  and  Oregon  south  to  Costa  Rica  and  the  West  Indies.  Less  common  from 
the  eastern  border  of  the  plains  westward. 

This  species  is  easily  known  by  the  yellow  under  mandible,  the 
broadly  white  tipped  tail  feathers  and  the  bright  cinnamon  markings 
of  the  wings.  The  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  a  common  summer  resident, 
arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  last  week  in  April  and  returns  gen- 
erally to  its  southern  winter  resorts  by  the  latter  part  of  September. 
The  common  names  of  Rain-crow  and  Kow-bird  given  to  both  the 
Yellow  and  Black-billed  Cuckoos  arise  from  their  peculiar  and  loud 
gutteral  notes  of  Kow,  Row,  which  are,  it  is  said,  most  clamorous  at 
the  approach  of  rain.  Both  species  are  also  known  in  some  sections 
of  this  State  by  the  name  of  Indian  hen.  The  Cuckoos  are  fcmch 
more  frequently  heard  than  seen,  unless  it  is  at  times  when  they  dart 
from  one  tree  to  another,  or  into  the  thick  foliage  of  bushes.  The 
nest  of  this  species  is  loosely  built  of  small  sticks  lined  with  grasses, 
and  placed  usually  on  the  low  limb  of  a  tree,  sometimes,  however,  it 
is  found  in  thick  bushes.  The  eggs,  generally  two  or  four,  are  light 
greenish-blue  in  color  and  measure  about  1.24  inches  in  length,  and 
about  .90  of  an  inch  in  width.  Writing  of  this  species  Audubon  says : 
*'  It  robs  smaller  birds  of  their  eggs,  which  it  sucks  on  all  occasions, 
and  is  cowardly  and  shy,  without  being  vigilant.  On  this  latter  ac- 
count it  often  falls  a  prey  to  several  species  of  Hawks,  of  which  the 
Pigeon  Hawk  may  be  considered  as  its  most  dangerous  enemy.  It 
prefers  the  Southern  States  for  its  residence,  and  when  very  mild 


120 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 


winters  occur  in  Louisiana,  some  individuals  remain  there,  not  finding 
it  necessary  to  go  farther  south.  They  feed  on  insects,  such  as  cater- 
pillars and  butterflies,  as  well  as  on  berries  of  many  kinds,  evincing  a 
special  prediliction  for  the  mulberry.  In  autumn  they  eat  many 
grapes.  They  now  and  then  descend  to  the  ground  to  pick  up  a  wood- 
snail  or  a  beetle." 

According  to  Wilson  the  diet  of  this  species  consists  for  the  most 
part  of  caterpillars,  particularly  such  as  infest  apple  trees.  They  also 
eat  various  kinds  of  berries.  But  from  the  circumstance  of  destroying 
such  numbers  of  very  noxious  larvae,  they  prove  themselves  the 
friends  of  the  farmer  and  are  highly  deserving  of  his  protection." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

July  15,  1879,  . 

West  Bradford,  Pa., 

Grasshoppers  and  snails  (helix). 

2 
3 

July  15,  1879,  . 
June    5,  1880,  . 

Pocopson,  Pa.,    .    .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa., 

Beetles  (on  apple  tree). 
Caterpillars    (feeding   in    apple  or- 

chard). 

4 

June    5,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Caterpillars  and  fragments  of  beetles. 

5 

June    5,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Caterpillars. 

6 

May   26,  1883,  . 

West  Chester,  Pa,,  . 

Beetles. 

7 

June     1,  1883,  . 

Pocopson,  Pa.,    .    .   . 

Stomach  gorged  with  insects,  chiefly 

caterpillars      (feeding     in    locust 

trees). 

8 

June    1,  1883,  . 

Pocopson,  Pa.,    ... 

Many  caterpillars  and  fragments  of 

beetles  (feeding  in  locust  trees). 

9 

July  28,  1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,    . 

Berries. 

388.  Coccyzus  erythrophthalmus  (WiLS.). 


Black-billed  Cuckoo. 

DESCRIPTION.  « 

Bill  entirely  black  ;  upper  parts  generally  of  a  metallic  greenish-olive,  ashy  to- 
wards the  base  of  the  bill ;  beneath  pure-white,  with  a  brownish-yellow  tinge  on 
the  throat ;  inner  webs  of  the  quills  tinged  with  cinnamon  ;  under  surface  of  all  the- 
tail  feathers  hoary  ash-gray ;  all  except  the  central,  on  either  side,  suffused  with 
darker  to  the  short,  bluish-white,  and  not  well-defined  tip  ;  a  naked  redskin  around 
the  eye  ;  iris  brown. 

Length  about  12  inches;  extent  about  16  ;  wing,  5  ;  tail,  6.50. 

Hab.— Eastern  North  America,  from  Labrador  and  Manitoba  south  to  the  West 
Indies  and  the  valley  of  the  Amazon  ;  west  to  the  Rocky  mountains.  Accidental  in 
the  British  Islands  and  Italy. 

This  species  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  a  summer  resident. 
It  arrives  generally  a  few  days  after  the  Yellow-billed  has  made  it& 
appearance,  and  returns  to  its  southern  winter  resorts  about  two  weeks, 
Audubon  says,  earlier  than  the  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo. 

In  February,  1885, 1  saw  several  of  these  birds  in  the  Florida  orange 
orchards.  The  nest,  a  frail  structure  of  twigs,  bark,  and  in  some  in- 
stances blossoms  of  different  plants,  is  placed  on  a  low  tree  or  bush. 
The  eggs,  usually  two  or  four,  are  mostly  a  trifle  smaller  and  darker 


Plate  20. 


cm. 


i.  Males;   2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA.  121 

in  color  than  those  of  the  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo.  Both  species,  ac- 
cording to  my  observation,  always  build  their  own  nests,  and  never, 
like  the  Cow  Bunting,  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  nests  of  other  birds. 
The  Rain-Crows  are  extremely  cowardly,  and  if  attacked  by  any  of 
their  feathered  neighbors,  whose  nests  they  sometimes  pillage,  they 
immediately  fly  off  and  conceal  themselves  in  the  dusky  retreats  of  a 
tree  or  bush.  In  relation  to  this  bird,  Audubon  says:  "The  flight  of 
this  species  is  swifter  than  that  of  its  near  relative,  the  Yellow-billed 
Cuckoo,  for  which  bird  it  is  easily  mistaken  by  ordinary  observers. 
It  does  not  so  much  frequent  the  interior  of  woods,  but  appears  along 
their  margins,  on  the  edges  of  creeks  and  damp  places.  But  the  most 
remarkable  distinction  between  this  species  and  the  Yellow  billed 
Cuckoo  is,  that  the  former,  instead  of  feeding  principally  on  insects 
and  fruits,  procures  fresh-water  shell-fish  and  aquatic  larvae  for  its 
sustenance.  It  is,  therefore,  more  frequently  seen  on  the  ground,  near 
the  edges  of  the  water,  or  descending  along  the  drooping  branches  of 
trees  to  their  extremities,  to  seize  the  insects  in  the  water  beneath 
them."  In  the  adult  plumage  the  Yellow-billed  and  the  Black- billed 
Cuckoos,  when  flying,  can  be  distinguished,  if  you  bear  in  mind  that 
in  the  former  the  long  tail  feathers,  with  large  white  tips,  are  very 
conspicuous;  on  the  other  hand,  the  white  tips  on  the  tail  feathers  of 
the  Black-billed  are  not  well  marked.  This  bird,  as  well  as  the  Yellow- 
billed  Cuckoo,  I  have  observed,  subsists  largely  on  the  tent  caterpil- 
lars, which  are  so  numerous  at  times  on  our  various  fruit  and  shade 
trees.  It  also  feeds  on  beetles,  grasshoppers,  snails  and  earth-worms. 
According  to  Mr.  Gentry,  "  its  vegetable  food  is  chiefly  the  seeds  of 
grasses,  and  the  berries  of  Juniperus  Virginiana" 


SUBORDER   ALCYOi^ES.     KINGFISHERS. 
FAMILY  ALCEDINID/E.     KINGFISHERS. 

GENUS  CERYLE.     BOIE. 
390.  Ceryle  alcyon  (LiNN.). 

Belted  Kingfisher. 

(Plate  SO.) 

"Length  about  13  inches  ;  extent  of  wings  about  22  inches. 
Hab. — North  America,  south  to  Panama  and  the  West  Indies. 

Kingfishers  are  common  residents  along  our  rivers,  streams  and 
ponds,  about  which  they  are  found  at  all  seasons,  unless  forced  to  mi- 
grate southward  by  excessively  cold  weather.  The  loud  and  harsh 
cry  of  this  bird,  as  Wilson  has  properly  stated,  is  not  unlike  the  noise 
made  by  twirling  a  watchman's  rattle.  a  It  is  uttered  while  moving 


122  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

from  place  to  place,  always  on  being  disturbed,  and  even  sometimes 
when  he  is  about  to  plunge  into  the  water  for  a  fish.  But  especially 
is  it  heard  at  night  when  the  male  bird  is  returning  to  the  nest  with 
food  for  his  mate  and  young." — Gentry.  Their  eggs  are  deposited  in 
holes  which  they  excavate  in  the  sides  of  banks,  usually  about  the 
streams  and  ponds  they  frequent.  On  many  occasions,  I  have  discov- 
ered their  nests  in  high  embankments  along  public  roads,  railroad 
cuts  and  old  quarries.  The  excavations  vary  greatly  in  depth,  but 
average  about  four  or  five  feet;  occasionally  you  find  one  straight, 
commonly,  however,  they  are  directed  to  the  right  or  left  of  the  main 
opening  and  terminate  in  quite  a  large  cavity.  The  eggs  (1.30  by 
1.06  inches)  are  white  and  usually  six  in  number,  although  I  have  in 
several  instances  seen  seven.  The  eggs,  according  to  my  observation, 
are  invariably  deposited  on  the  bare  earth.  Mr.  Gentry,  however, 
tell  us  that  he  has  "  in  many  instances  known  them  to  be  deposited 
in  a  warm  and  cosy  nest  constructed  of  dried  grasses  and  feathers." 
Kingfishers  feed  almost  entirely  on  fish.  Their  proficiency  in  catch- 
ing small  fish  is  such  that  they  are  in  bad  repute  among  the  owners 
and  proprietors  of  trout  and  carp  ponds.  Two  gentlemen  of  my  ac- 
quaintance were  so  greatly  annoyed  by  the  loss  of  gold-fish  and  trout, 
which  had  been  sustained  from  the  regular  visits  of  several  pairs  of 
these  birds,  that  they  adopted  the  following  means  for  their  destruc- 
tion. Stakes  were  driven  down  about  the  ponds  in  several  places ; 
the  tops  of  the  stakes  were  sufficiently  large  to  support  steel-traps, 
which  were  set,  but  not  baited.  The  birds  on  visiting  the  ponds  would 
invariably  fly  to  one  of  the  stakes  and  alight.  In  less  than  one  week 
ten  or  twelve  Kingfishers  were  in  this  way  trapped  and  killed.  A 
friend  of  mine,  some  few  years  ago,  informed  me  that  he  caught  one 
of  these  birds  on  a  hook  and  line,  while  fishing  in  the  Brandywine, 
near  Chadd's  Ford.  My  informant  said  he  had  a  live  bait  (minnow) 
on  his  hook,  and  as  he  was  winding  up  his  line  on  the  reel,  he  saw  a 
Kingfisher  plunge  into  the  water  at  his  bait,  which  it  not  only  caught, 
but  at  the  same  time  hooked  and  entangled  itself  in  the  line  so  that 
it  could  not  escape.  One  day  B.  M.  Everhart  found  a  Kingfisher  lying 
on  the  bank  of  a  small  stream.  On  making  an  investigation,  Mr. 
Everhart  ascertained  that  the  bird  was  unable  to  fly,  as  its  bill  was 
tightly  clasped  in  the  grasp  of  a  large  fresh-water  mussel.  I  have 
heard  of  two  or  three  instances  where  Kingfishers  have  been  captured 
under  similar  circumstances,  which  would  naturally  lead  one  to  sup- 
pose that  they  feed  to  a  limited  degree  on  the  flesh  of  these  bivalves. 
According  to  certain  writers,  this  species  is  said  to  feed  occasionally, 
though  rarely,  on  insects.  Mr.  E.  A.  Samuels  states  that  he  once  shot 
a  Kingfisher  which  had  just  seized  a  mouse  (Arvicola). 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


123 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Feb.     3,  1879,       . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Remains  of  tish. 

2 

Feb.    26,  1879, 

Newark,  Del.,             ... 

Remains  of  fish. 

3 

June  11,  1880,       . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Remains  of  fish. 

4 

Aug.  20,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Remains  of  fish. 

5 

Mar.     3,  1881,       . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Remains  of  fish. 

6 

Apr.    26,  1881, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Remains  of  fish. 

7 

Sept.   11,  1881, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Remains  of  fish. 

8 

Nov.  28,  1882,        . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Remains  of  fish. 

9 

Apr.    20,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Remains  of  fish. 

10 

May    30,  1882,        . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   .    . 

Remains  of  fish. 

11 

Aug.  27,  1883, 

Delaware  county,  Pa.,    .    . 

Remains  of  fish. 

12 

Apr.      1,  1884,        . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Remains  of  fish. 

13 

July  20,  1885, 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    .    . 

Remains  of  fish. 

ORDER  PICI.    WOODPECKERS. 

FAMILY  PICID-ffi.     WOODPECKERS. 

[Although  Woodpeckers  make  no  efforts  to  build  nests  as  other  birds 
generally  do,  they  nevertheless  prepare  with  great  care  and  labor 
equally  suitable  receptacles  for  their  eggs  and  young.  Woodpeckers 
lay  their  eggs,*  which  are  white,  and  usually  number  from  four  to  six? 
on  chips  and  bits  of  rotten  wood  in  cavities  which  they  excavate  with 
their  powerful  and  chisel-like  or  wedge-shaped  bills,  in  the  dead  limbs 
or  trunks  of  trees.  These  holes  or  nesting  places — often  times  dug  to 
a  considerable  depth — at  the  mouth  are  often  just  sufficiently  large 
to  permit  the  birds  to  readily  pass  in  and  out ;  from  the  entrance 
downward  the  diameter  of  these  wooden  burrows  increase  in  size. 
The  tongue  of  all  our  Woodpeckers,,  with  one  exception,  viz  :  the 
Yellow-bellied,  is  capable  of  being  protruded  beyond  the  point  of  the 
bill  to  a  considerable  extent.  The  cornua  or  horns  of  the  tongue  ex- 
tending backward,  curl  up  over  the  back  of  the  skull,  and  rest  in 
slight  depressions  designed  for  their  reception ;  these  horns  are  en- 
veloped in  muscles  by  the  action  of  which  the  tongue  is  thrust  out. 
This  singular  arrangement  can  easily  be  demonstrated  by  simply 
taking  hold  of  the  end  of  the  tongue  of  a  Flicker  we  will  say,  and  as 
you  move  it  backward  and  forward  place  a  finger  on  the  top  of  the 
bird's  head,  and  at  once  a  peculiar,  worm  like  movement  will  be  dis- 
covered as  the  horns  run  back  and  forth  between  the  skin  and  bony 
covering  of  the  head,  beneath  your  finger.  The  end  of  the  tongue  in 
Woodpeckers,  other  than  the  species  above  mentioned,  is  generally 
furnished  on  either  side  with  little  barbs,  very  similar  in  appearance 
to  those  found  on  small  fish-hooks.  In  the  Yellow-bellied  Wood- 
pecker the  horns  of  the  hyoid  bone  extend  only  to  the  base  of  the 

*  The  following1  measurements  will  show  the  average  size  of  species  which  usually  breed  in  this 
State  :  Hairy  Woodpecker,  about  1  inch  long  and  a  little  less  than  J  wide.  Downy  Woodpecker, 
about  .80  of  an  inch  long  by  about  .65  wide.  Pileated  Woodpecker,  about  1.25  of  an  inch  long  by 
1  inch  wide.  Red-headed  Woodpecker,  a  little  over  1  inch  long  and  about  .85  of  an  inch  in  width. 
Flicker,  about  1.10  long  and  .90  wide. 


124  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

skull,  hence  the  tongue  is  capable  of  but  little  extensibility  ;  in  place 
of  the  barbs  commonly  seen,  we  find  the  end  quite  abundantly  pro- 
vided with  "  numerous  bushy  filaments."  The  peculiar  structure  of 
their  feet  and  sharp  nails  enable  them  by  the  additional  support  of 
the  rigid  tail,  to  ascend  the  trunks  and  limbs  of  trees  with  singular 
address  and  celerity,  either  in  straight  or  spiral  lines.  From  u  Ooues 
Key  to  North  American  Birds  " — a  most  valuable  work  and  one  which 
deserves  a  place  in  the  library  of  all  who  desire  to  thoroughly  acquaint 
themselves  with  our  feather  fauna — the  following  extract  relative  to 
these  birds  is  taken  :  "  Species  are  abundant  in  all  the  wooded  por- 
tion of  this  country  and  wherever  found  are  nearly  resident.  For, 
although  insectivorous,  they  feed  principally  upon  dormant  or  at  least 
stationary  insects,  and  therefore  need  not  migrate ;  they  are,  mure- 
over,  hardy  birds.  They  dig  insects  and  their  larvge  out  of  trees,  and 
are  eminently  beneficial  to  the  agriculturist  and  fruit-grower.  Con- 
trary to  prevalent  impression,  their  boring  does  not  seem  to  injure 
fruit  trees,  which  may  be  riddled  with  holes  without  harmful  results. 
The  number  of  noxious  insects  these  birds  destroy  is  simply  incalcula 
ble  ;  what  little  fruit  some  of  them  steal  is  not  to  be  mentioned  in  the 
same  connection,  and  they  deserve  the  goodwill  of  all.  The  birds  of 
the  genus  Sphyrapicus  are  probably  an  exception  to  most  of  these 
statements.  But  Woodpeckers  also  feed  largely  upon  nuts,  berries 
and  other  fruits  ;  and  those  which  thus  vary  their  fare  to  the  greatest 
extent  are  apt  to  be  more  or  less  migratory,  like  the  common  Red- 
head for  example.  Woodpeckers  rarely,  if  ever,  climb  head  down- 
ward, like  Nuthatches,  nor  are  the  tarsi  applied  to  their  support." 

The  notes  of  these  birds,  uttered  when  on  the  wing,  likewise  when 
at  rest,  are  loud  and  unmusical.  Woodpeckers,  with  the  exception  of 
the  Flicker,  are  not  usually  observed  to  alight  on  the  ground.  Insects 
which  lie  under  the  bark  are  readily  discovered  by  the  Woodpecker, 
who  gives  a  sharp  tap  with  his  bill,  and  then  placing  his  head  close  to 
the  tree,  listens  attentively  to  hear  the  movements  of  his  favorite  prey. 
As  soon  as  he  discovers  a  beetle  or  a  grub  moving  in  its  snug  retreat 
the  bark  or  other  covering  of  the  luckless  insect  is  torn  away  and  the 
crawling  creature  is  captured.  The  large  chisel-like  bill  and  the  stiff 
tail  feathers,  which  gradually  taper  to  a  point,  will  suffice  to  enable 
you  to  recognize  a  Woodpecker.] 

GENUS  DRYOBATBS.     BOIE. 
393.  Dryobates  villosus.     (LINN.) 

Hairy  Woodpecker. 

DESCRIPTION. 

"The  Hairy  Woodpecker  is  9  inches  long  and  15  in  extent;  crown  black;  line 
over  and  under  the  eye  white  ;  the  eye  is  placed  in  a  black  line,  that  widens  as  it  de- 
scends to  the  back  ;  hind  head  scarlet,  sometimes  intermixed  with  black  ;  nostrils 
hid  under  remarkably  thick,  bushy,  recumbent  hairs,  or  bristles  ;  under  the  bill  are 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA,  125 

certain  long  hairs  thrown  forward  and  upward ;  bill  a  bluish  horn-color,  grooved, 
wedged  at  the  end,  straight  and  about  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long  ;  touches  of  black, 
proceeding  from  the  lower  mandible,  end  in  a  broad,  black  strip  that  joins  the  black 
on  the  shoulder  ;  back  black,  divided  by  a  broad,  lateral  strip  of  white,  the  feathers 
composing  which  are  loose  and  un webbed,  resembling  hairs, — whence  its  name; 
rump  and  shoulders  of  the  wing  black  ;  wings  black,  tipped  and  spotted  with  white, 
three  rows  of  spots  being  visible  on  the  secondaries  and  five  on  the  primaries ; 
greater  wing  coverts  also  spotted  with  white  ;  tail,  as  in  the  others,  cuneiform,  con- 
sisting of  ten  strong-shafted  and  pointed  feathers,  the  four  middle  ones  black,  the 
next  partially  white,  the  two  exterior  ones  white,  tinged  at  the  tip  with  a  brownish 
burnt-color  ;  tail  coverts  black  ;  whole  lower  side  pure  white  ;  legs,  feet  and  claws 
light  blue,  the  latter  remarkably  large  and  strong ;  inside  of  the  mouth  flesh  col- 
ored ;  tongue  pointed,  beset  with  barbs,  and  capable  of  being  protruded  more  than 
an  inch  and  a  half ;  the  oshyoides,  in  this  species,  passes  on  each  side  of  the  neck, 
ascends  the  skull,  passes  down  towards  the  nostril,  and  is  wound  round  the  bone  of 
the  right  eye,  which  projects  considerably  more  than  the  left  for  its  accommodation. 
The  great  mass  of  hairs  that  cover  the  nostril  appears  to  be  designed  as  a  protection 
to  the  front  of  the  head,  when  the  bird  is  engaged  in  digging  holes  into  the  wood. 
The  membrane  which  encloses  the  brain  in  this,  as  in  all  the  other  species  of  Wood- 
peckers, is  also  of  extraordinary  strength  ;  no  doubt,  to  prevent»any  bad  effects  from 
violent  concussion  while  the  bird  is  employed  in  digging  for  food.  The  female 
wants  the  red  on  the  hind  head,  and  the  white  below  is  tinged  with  brownish." — 
Wilson. 

Hab.— Middle  portions  of  the  eastern  United  States,  from  the  Atlantic  coast  to  the 
great  plains. 

The  Hairy  Woodpecker  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  at  all  seasons  of 
the  year.  It  is  quite  plentiful,  but  in  many  sections,  and  probably 
throughout  the  State,  is  less  abundant  than  the  Downy  Woodpecker. 
The  Hairy  Woodpeckers,  generally  shy  and  somewhat  difficult  to  ap- 
proach, are  found  mostly  in  the  woods,  and  although  they  sometimes 
when  in  quest  of  food  visit  the  trees  in  orchards  and  yards,  their  visits 
to  these  places  are  much  less  frequent  than  those  of  the  little  Downy. 

Both  the  Hairy  and  Downy  Woodpeckers  are  called  u  Sap-suckers," 
by  those  who  are  unacquainted  with  birds,  from  the  common  belief 
that  both  subsist  largely  on  the  sap  of  apple  and  other  fruit  trees. 
This  popular,  yet  mistaken  idea,  has  induced  many  farmers  and  fruit 
growers  to  destroy  these  two  species,  as  well  as  other  Woodpeckers, 
when  found  about  their  orchards. 

FOOD. 

Gentry  says :  "  Its  iood  consists  of  the  larvae  and  the  pupae  of  insects 
which  eke  out  an  existence  in  the  outer  woody  layer,  or  lie  dormant 
underneath  the  bark.  The  small  spiders,  which  also  occupy  the  latter 
situations,  contribute  no  mean  part  of  their  diet.  When  there  is  a 
scarcity  of  insect  food  in  winter,  the  seeds  of  grasses  and  various  kinds 
of  berries  are  greedily  eaten."  Wilson  refers  to  this  bird  as  u  a  haunter 
of  orchards  and  lover  of  apple  trees,  an  eager  hunter  of  insects,  their 
eggs  and  larvae  in  old  stumps  and  old  rails,  in  rotten  branches  and 
crevices  of  the  bark."  "  The  food  of  this  species  consists  principally 
of  the  eggs  and  larvae  of  injurious  insects  that  are  burrowing  in  the 


126 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


wood  of  our  fruit  and  forest  trees  ;  these  he  is  enabled  to  obtain  by 
chiselling  out  a  small  hole  with  his  powerful  bill,  and  drawing  them 
from  their  lurking-places  with  his  long  barbed  tongue.  He  also  eats 
some  small  fruits  and  berries,  but  never,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  the 
buds  or  blossoms  of  trees,  as  some  persons  assert. — E.  A.  Samuels. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Nov.  —  ,  1879,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   . 

Seeds  of  berries. 

2 

April  11,  1880,    . 

Newark,  Delaware,   .    . 

Larvae  and  beetles. 

3 
4 

June  13,  1880,    . 
Dec.    30,  1880,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Spiders  and  dipterous  insects. 
Small  seeds  and  particles  of  Indian 

corn. 

5 

Jan.    28,  1881,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles. 

6 

Mar.   10,  1881,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Numerous  insects. 

/ 

Sept  13,  1881,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Black  ants  and  larvae. 

8 
9 

May    18,  1883,    . 
Mar.  26,  1884,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa»,  .    . 

Black  ants,  diptera  and  beetles. 
Beetles  and  larvae. 

394.  Dryobates  pubescens  (LINN.). 

Downy  "Woodpecker. 

DESCRIPTION. 

A  miniature  of  D.  villosus.  Above  black,  with  a  white  band  down  the  back  ;  two 
white  stripes  on  the  side  of  the  head  ;  the  lower  of  opposite  sides  always  separated  ; 
the  upper  sometimes  conffuent  on  the  nape  ;  two  stripes  of  black  on  the  side  of  the 
head,  the  lower  not  running  into  the  forehead  ;  beneath  white  ;  wing  much  spotted 
with  white  ,  the  larger  coverts  with  two  series  each  ;  tertiaries  or  inner  secondaries 
all  banded  with  white  ;  two  outer  tail  feathers  white,  with  two  bands  of  black  at  the 
end,  third  white  at  tip  and  externally.  Male,  with  red  terminating  the  white  feathers 
on  the  nape ;  legs  and  feet  bluish-gray;  claws  light-blue  tipped  with  blac-k  ;  iris 
brown  ;  bill  blackish. 

Length,  about  6|  inches ;  wing,  3f. 

Hub. — Northern  and  eastern  North  America,  from  British  Columbia  and  the 
eastern  edge  of  the  Plains  northward  and  eastward. 

This  indefatigable  little  insect- hunter,  the  smallest  of  all  our  Wood- 
peckers, is  a  common  resident  in  Pennsylvania.  The  timid  disposition 
so  frequently  noticed  in  the  preceding  species  is  rarely,  if  ever,  shown 
by  the  Downy  Woodpeckers,  which,  at  all  seasons,  are  found  frequent- 
ing our  shade  and  fruit  trees,  and  not  unfrequently  these  little  feath- 
ered carpenters  may  be  observed  excavating  nesting  places  in  trees 
close  to  the  habitations  of  man. 

FOOD. 

Downy  Woodpeckers  subsist  chiefly  on  various  forms  of  insects,  and 
when  this  food  becomes  scarce  they  feed  oftentimes  on  the  seeds  of 
grasses  and  some  few  other  plants ;  also,  small  fruits,  such  as  wild 
grapes,  cedar  berries,  etc.  In  the  winter  months  I  have  seen  these 
Woodpeckers,  also  Tufted  Titmice  and  White-bellied  Nuthatches  feed 
with  apparent  relish  on  pieces  of  fat  beef  and  pork,  which  had  been 
suspended  in  trees  or  nailed  to  grape-arbors  for  their  benefit.  The 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  127 

kernels  of  walnuts,  shell-barks  and  other  nuts  that  I  have  placed  in 
trees  were  likewise  eaten  by  both  the  Woodpecker  and  Nuthatch. 

The  following  interesting  and  instructive  account  of  the  Downy 
Woodpecker  in  apple  orchards  is  given  by  Wilson:  "The  principal 
characteristics  of  this  little  bird  are  diligence,  familiarity,  perseverance 
and  a  strength  and  energy  in  the  head  and  muscles  of  the  neck  which 
are  truly  astonishing.  Mounted  on  the  infected  branch  of  an  old  appJe 
tree,  where  insects  have  lodged  their  corroding  and  destructive  brood 
in  crevices  between  the  bark  and  wood,  he  labors  sometimes  for  half 
an  hour  incessantly  at  the  same  spot  before  he  has  succeeded  in  dis- 
lodging and  destroying  them.  At  these  times  you  may  walk  up  pretty 
close  to  the  tree,  and  even  stand  immediately  below  it,  within  five  or 
six  feet  of  the  bird,  without  in  the  least  embarrassing  him.  The  strokes 
of  his  bill  are  distinctly  heard  several  hundred  yards  off.  *  *  *  * 
He  has  a  single  note,  chink*  which  like  the  former  species,  he  fre- 
quent ly  repeats ;  and  when  he  flies  off,  or  alights  on  another  tree,  he 
utters  a  rather  shriller  cry,  composed  of  nearly  the  same  kind  of  note, 
quickly  reiterated.  In  fall  and  winter,  he  associates  with  the  Titmouse, 
Creeper,  etc.,  both  in  their  wood  and  orchard  excursions,  and  usually 
leads  the  van.  Of  all  our  Woodpeckers,  none  rid  the  apple  trees  of 
so  many  vermin  as  this,  digging  off  the  moss  which  the  negligence  of 
the  proprietor  had  suffered  to  accumulate,  and  probing  every  crevice. 
In  fact,  the  orchard  is  his  favorite  resort  in  all  seasons;  and  his  indus- 
try is  unequalled  and  almost  incessant,  which  is  more  than  can  be 
said  of  any  other  species  we  have.  In  fall  he  is  particularly  fond  of 
boring  the  apple  trees  for  insects,  digging  a  circular  hole  through  the 
bark,  just  sufficient  to  admit  his  bill;  after  that,  a  second,  third,  etc., 
in  pretty  regular  horizontal  circles  round  the  body  of  the  tree ;  these 
parallel  circles  of  holes  are  often  not  more  than  an  inch  or  an  inch 
and  a  half  apart,  and  sometimes  so  close  together  that  I  have  covered 
eight  or  ten  of  them  at  once  with  a  dollar.  From  nearly  the  surface 
of  the  ground  up  to  the  first  fork,  and  sometimes  far  beyond  it,  the 
whole  bark  of  many  apple  trees  is  perforated  in  this  manner,  so  as  to 
appear  as  if  made  by  successive  discharges  of  buck- shot ;  and  our  little 
Woodpecker — the  subject  of  the  present  account — is  the  principal 
perpetrator  of  this  supposed  mischief;  I  say  supposed,  for,  so  far  from 
these  perforations  of  the  bark  being  ruinous,  they  are  not  only  harm- 
less, but.  I  have  good  reason  to  believe,  really  beneficial  to  the  health 
and  fertility  of  the  tree.  I  leave  it  to  the  philosophical  botanist  to 
account  for  this :  but  the  fact  I  am  confident  of.  In  more  than  fifty 
orchards  which  I  have  myself  carefully  examined,  those  trees  which 
were  marked  by  the  Woodpecker  (for  some  trees  they  never  touch, 
perhaps  because  not  penetrated  by  insects')  were  uniformly  the  most 
thriving  and  seemingly  the  most  productive.  Many  of  these  were 


128 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


upwards  of  sixty  years  old,  their  trunks  completely  covered  with  holes, 
while  the  branches  were  broad,  luxuriant  and  loaded  with  fruit.  Of 
decayed  trees,  more  than  three-fourths  were  untouched  by  the  Wood- 
pecker, Several  intelligent  farmers,  with  whom  I  have  conversed, 
candidly  acknowledge  the  truth  of  these  observations,  and  with  justice 
look  upon  these  birds  as  beneficial ;  but  the  most  common  opinion  is, 
that  they  bore  the  tree  to  suck  the  sap,  and  so  destroy  its  vegetation ; 
though  pine  and  other  resinous  trees,  on  the  juices  of  which  it  is  not 
pretended  they  feed,  are  often  found  equally  perforated.  Were  the 
sap  of  the  tree  their  object,  the  saccharine  juice  of  the  birch,  the 
sugar  maple,  and  several  others,  would  be  much  more  inviting  (because 
more  sweet  and  nourishing)  than  that  of  either  the  pear  or  apple  tree ; 
but  I  have  not  observed  one  mark  on  the  former  for  ten  thousand  that 
may  be  seen  on  the  latter.  Besides,  the  early  part  of  spring  is  the 
season  when  the  sap  flows  most  abundantly ;  whereas,  it  is  only  dur- 
ing the  months  of  September,  October  and  November  that  Wood- 
peckers are  seen  so  indefatigably  engaged  in  orchards,  probing  every 
crack  and  crevice,  boring  through  the  bark — and,  what  is  worth  re- 
marking, chiefly  oh  the  south  and  south-west  sides  of  the  tree — for 
the  eggs  and  larvae  deposited  there  by  the  countless  swarms  of  summer 
insects.  These,  if  suffered  to  remain,  would  prey  upon  the  very  vitals 
—if  I  may  so  express  it — of  the  tree,  and  in  the  succeeding  summer 
give  birth  to  myriads  more  of  their  race,  equally  destructive. 

a  Here,  then,  is  a  whole  species,  I  may  say  genus,  of  birds,  which 
Providence  seems  to  have  formed  for  the  protection  of  our  fruit  and 
forest  trees  from  the  ravages  of  vermin,  which  every  day  destroy 
millions  of  those  noxious  insects  that  would  otherwise  blast  the  hopes 
of  the  husbandman  ;  they  even  promote  the  fertility  of  the  tree,  and, 
in  return,  are  proscribed  by  those  who  ought  to  have  been  their  pro- 
tectors, and  incitements  and  rewards  held  out  for  their  destruction ! 
Let  us  examine  better  into  the  operations  of  nature,  and  many  of  our 
mistaken  opinions  and  groundless  prejudices  will  be  abandoned  for 
more  just,  enlarged  and  humane  modes  of  thinking." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Feb.    20,  1880,    . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Larvae. 

2 

Feb.    20,  1880,    . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,   .    . 

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

3 

Mar.      6,  1880,    . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.  ,    .    . 

Larvae,   beetles  and  seeds  of  Rosa 

lucida. 

4 

May     1,  1880,    . 

Willistown,  Pa.,      .    .    . 

Larvae. 

5 

Sept.  25,  1880,    . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Berries  and  "grub  worms." 

6 

Sept.  24,  1880,    . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

"Wood  grubs." 

7 

Nov.  20,  1884,    . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Small    seeds     and     fragments     of 

beetles. 

8 

Nov.  20,  1884,    . 

East  Bradford,  Pa.  ,    .    . 

Larvae  and  fragments  of  beetles. 

9 

Dec.    20,  1884,    . 

West  Chester,  Pa.,     .    . 

Insects,  chiefly  beetles. 

10 

Mav    23,  1885,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Larvae. 

BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  129 


GENUS  SPHYRAPICTJS.     RAIRD. 
402.  Sphyrapieus  varius  (LINN.). 

Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker. 

DESCRIPTION. 

First  primary  shortest ;  fourth  longest ;  third  a  little  shorter ;  general  color  above 
black,  much  variegated  with  white  ;  leathers  of  the  back  and  rump  brownish-white, 
spotted  with  black  ;  crown  scarlet,  bordered  by  black  on  the  sides  of  the  head  and 
nape  ;  a  streak  from  above  the  eye,  and  another  from  the  bristles  of  the  bill,  passing 
below  the  eye  and  into  the  yellowish  of  the  belly,  and  a  stripe  along  the  edges  of 
the  wing  coverts  white  ;  a  triangular  broad  patch  of  scarlet  on  the  chin,  bordered  on 
•each  side  by  black  stripes  from  the  lower  mandible,  which  meet  behind,  and  extend 
into  a  large  quadrate  spot  on  the  breast ;  rest  of  under  parts  yellowish-white,  streaked 
on  the  sides  with  black  ;  inner  web  of  inner  tail-feather  white,  spotted  with  black  ; 
outer  feathers  black,  edged  and  spotted  with  white.  Female,  with  the  red  of  the 
throat  replaced  by  white.  Young  male,  without  black  on  the  breast,  or  red  on  the 
top  of  the  head. 

Length,  8.25  inches  ;  extent  about  16 ;  wing  about  4.75 ;  tail,  3.30  inches. 

Hab. — North  America,  north  and  east  of  the  Great  Plains,  south  to  the  West  In- 
dies, Mexico,  and  Guatemala. 

The  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker,  although  mentioned  by  some 
writers  as  a  resident  in  Pennsylvania,  very  rarely,  I  think,  breeds 
here.  Occasionally  a  few  of  these  birds  ^re  found  in  winter.  Gen- 
erally speaking,  however,  the  Yellow-bellied  Woodpeckers  are  to  be 
observed  as  somewhat  common  spring  and  fall  migrants,  which  arrive 
in  this  region  early  in  April,  and  soon  disappear  to  return  again,  but 
not  earlier  than  the  last  week  in  September.  During  their  visits  in 
the  spring  these  birds  are  much  less  abundant  than  in  the  autumn, 
and  are  seen  principally  in  the  woods,  although  I  have,  in  many  in- 
stances, observed  them  in  apple  orchards.  While  they  sojourn  with 
us  in  the  fall,  they  evince  a  strong  disposition  to  frequent  apple  trees; 
often  as  many  as  six  or  eight  of  these  birds,  can  be  secured  in  a  small 
orchard.  All  Woodpeckers  have  a  common  habit  of  hiding  behind 
limbs,  or  sometimes  in  holes,  etc.,  as  you  approach  a  tree  on  which 
they  are  feeding,  and  usually  they  continually  shift  their  positions  to 
escape  notice.  When  hunting  in  apple  orchards,  particularly  in  the 
fall,  I  have  repeatedly  seen  the  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker  slip  be- 
hind a  limb,  and  remain  perfectly  motionless,  as  if  he  understood 
that  the  color  of  his  back,  not  unlike  the  general  appearance  of  the 
bark  or  lichens,  against  which  he  rested,  might  aid  him  in  eluding  ob- 
servation. Oftentimes  I  have  made  two  or  three  circuits  about  trees 
where  these  birds  were  thus  hiding,  and  generally  noticed  that  they 
would  not  move  until  convinced  by  my  actions  that  they  had  been 
discovered.  Of  all  our  Woodpeckers,  the  subject  of  this  present 
sketch  is  probably  the  most  expert  in  capturing  insects  on  the  wing; 
9  BIRDS. 


130  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

this  bird,  oftentimes,  like  the  Common  Pewee  or  other  fly -catchers, 
may  be  seen  to  start  from  -a  limb  and  seize  its  passing  prey.  This 
bird,  like  the  Hairy  and  Downy  Woodpeckers,  is  frequently  seen 
clinging  to  the  small  twigs  of  various  trees  and  bushes  collecting  in- 
sects or  picking  at  berries.  The  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker  is  the 
only  representative  of  the  genus  Sphyrapicus  found  east  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi river;  two  species  and  one  sub-species  of  this  genus  occur  in 
the  Rocky  mountain  and  Pacific  coast  regions  of  the  United  States. 

FOOD. 

In  referring  to  these  sap-sucking  Woodpeckers,  Dr.  Ooues  says : 
"  Birds  of  this  remarkable  genus  feed  much  upon  fruits,  as  well  as 
insects,  and  also  upon  soft  inner  bark  (cambium) ;  they  injure  fruit- 
trees  by  stripping  off  the  bark,  sometimes  in  large  areas,  instead  of 
simply  boring  holes.  Of  the  several  species  commonly  called  "  Sap 
suckers,"  they  alone  deserve  the  name.  In  declaring  war  against 
Woodpeckers,  the  agriculturist  will  do  well  to  discriminate  between 
these  somewhat  injurious  and  the  highly  beneficial  species."  My  field 
observations,  also  the  post  mortem  examinations  of  some  twenty  odd 
Yellow-bellied  Woodpeckers  (taken  chiefly  during  the  fall  migrations), 
lead  me  to  think  that  in  this  region  these  birds  subsist  mainly  on  in- 
sects, such  as  beetles,  large  flies,  ants,  spiders  and  larvae.  In  the  vis- 
cera of  specimens  taken  in  the  late  autumn  and  winter,  I  have  found 
sometimes  small  seeds  and  berries.  In  the  stomachs  of  two  birds 
which  were  shot  in  apple  trees,  I  detected  a  small  amount  of  a  vege- 
table substance,  which  may  have  been  inner  bark.  On  one  occasion 
I  opened  the  stomach  of  an  adult  male,  taken  in  the  spring,  and  no- 
ticed that  it  contained  a  considerable  quantity  of  fluid,  of  a  yellowish 
color ;  a  drop  of  this  fluid  touched  to  my  tongue  was  found  to  be  ex- 
ceedingly sweet. 

u  Dr.  Bryant,  who  has  paid  some  attention  to  the  examination  of 
the  food  of  this  bird,  in  the  •  Proceedings  of  the  Boston  Society  of 
Natural  History,'  vol.  X,  91,  makes  the  following  remarks :  '  It  has 
long  been  known  that  some  of  our  smaller  Woodpeckers  pick  out 
portions  of  the  sound  bark  of  trees,  particularly  of  apple  trees,  where 
there  are  no  larvae,  and  apparently  no  inducement  for  them  to  do  so. 
WThat  their  object  is  has  never  been  satisfactorily  established.  In 
Massachusetts,  I  am  not  aware  that  these  holes  are  ever  sufficiently 
large  or  numerous  to  cause  any  material  injury  to  the  apple-trees; 
they  are  generally  seen  in  circles  round  the  limbs  or  trunks  and  con- 
sist of  small,  irregularly  rounded  holes,  and  in  this  vicinity  are  made 
almost  exclusively  by  the  Downy  Woodpecker  (D.  pubescens),  aided 
occasionally  by  the  Hairy  Woodpecker  (D.  villosus).  In  certain 
parts  of  the  west,  however,  it  is  said  that  great  damage  is  done  in  or- 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  131 

chards  by  the  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker  (8.  varius);  and  Dr.  Hoy, 
of  Racine,  Wis.,  has  advanced  the  theory  that  the  object  of  the  bird 
in  so  doing  is  to  obtain  the  inner  bark  for  food.  A  number  of  speci- 
mens of  this  bird,  forwarded  by  Dr.  Hoy  to  the  Smithsonian  Institu- 
tion, have  been  placed  in  my  hands  by  Professor  Baird  for  examina- 
tion :  as  the  specimens  are  alcoholic,  the  soft  parts  are,  as  is  always 
the  case,  too  much  distorted  to  be  available  for  correct  comparisons ; 
the  gizzard,  however,  seems  smaller,  and  the  pro\  entriculus  larger, 
than  in  other  species  of  this  family  with  which  I  have  compared  them. 
The  contents  of  the  stomach  are  berries,  small  coleopters,  larvae  of 
boring  beetles,  ants,  and  fragments  of  the  inner  bark  of  the  apple 
tree." 

"  After  giving  minute  analyses  of  the  characteristics  of  the  tongues 
and  portions  of  the  skulls  of  the  different  small  Woodpeckers,  and 
comparing  them  with  the  Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker's,  showing  how 
the  latter  differ  from  the  others,  he  says : 

;i  The  general  shape  of  the  whole  tongue  is  not  much  unlike  that  of 
the  Robin;  the  ciliated  edges  show  an  analogy  to  the  Meliphagida, 
and  indicate  that  the  sap  of  the  trees  pecke,d  by  them  may  form  a 
portion  of  their  food.  In  the  stomachs  of  the  six  individuals  exam- 
ined by  me,  fragments  of  the  inner  bark  were  found  in  all,  so 
that  it  can  hardly  be  presumed  to  have  been  accidentally  intro- 
duced. It  is  evident,  from  the  shape  of  the  tongue,  that  it  is  not  used 
as  a  dart,  in  the  manner  of  the  true  Woodpecker,  to  draw  out  insects 
from  their  lurking-places,  but  that  these  are  seized  by  the  bill,  as  in 
other  insectivorous  birds.  Insects,  however,  probably  form  their  chief 
diet,  as  all  the  stomachs  examined  also  contained  insects,  the  quan- 
tity of  which  was  greater  than  that  of  the  fragments  of  bark :  in  one 
bird,  there  were  two  larvae  of  a  boring  beetle,  so  large  that  there 
was  not  room  for  both  in  the  stomach  at  once,  and  one  remained  in 
the  lower  part  of  the  oesophagus.  If  these  were,  as  is  probable,  the 
larvae  of  the  Saperda,  they  would  do  more  damage  than  twenty  Wood- 
peckers ;  and  I  sincerely  hope  that  these  birds  are  not  to  be  extermi- 
nated, unless  it  is  clearly  demonstrated  that  the  injury  caused  by  the 
destruction  of  the  bark  is  not  more  than  compensated  by  their  de- 
struction of  noxious  insects." — From  E.  A.  Samuels*  Northern  and 
Eastern  Birds. 

Gentry  says  :  "  The  food  of  these  birds  is  less  of  an  insect  character 
than  that  of  any  other  of  the  Picarian  family.  Although  a  great  de- 
stroyer of  insects  in  their  most  destructive  stages,  yet  the  untold  mis- 
chief which  they  achieve  in  the  perforation  of  the  inner  bark  of  many 
trees  to  such  an  extent  as  to  kill  them,  fairly  outbalances  the  immense 
good  which  they  accomplish.  In  some  'parts  of  Wisconsin,  this  de- 
struction is  perpetrated  on  a  grand  scale.  In  1868,  Dr.  Brewer,  in  com- 


J32  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

pany  with  Dr.  Hoy,  visited  Racine,  and  witnessed  the  results  of  this 
perforatory  process.  The  punctures  were  made  into  the  inner  bark 
of  trees,  and  were  so  close  together  that  the  bark  eventually  became 
stripped  off,  causing  a  complete  and  fatal  destruction  of  them.  In  one 
garden,  all  the  mountain -ash  and  white  pine  trees  were  entirely  killed. 
It  is  evident  from  the  foregoing  statements  that  these  birds  manifest 
an  ungovernable  and  decided  taste  for  the  inner  bark.  As  these  at- 
tacks were  made 'in  the  spring,  it  is  probable  that  the  sap,  which  had 
begun  to  circulate,  was  the  chief  source  of  attraction.  We  have  ob- 
served them  to  attack  trees  in  this  neighborhood,  but  never  to  such  an 
extent." 

GENUS  CEOPHLGBUS.     OABANIS. 
405.  Ceophlceus  pileatus  (LINN.). 

Plicated  Woodpecker. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  blue-black,  lower  mandible  much  lighter  in  color  than  the  upper ;  feet  and 
tarsi  in  dried  specimens  black  ;  iris  yellowish  ;  general  color  of  body,  wings  and  tail 
dull  black  ;  a  narrow  white  streak  from  just  above  the  eye  to  occiput,  a  wider  one 
from  the  nostril  feathers  (inclusive)  under  the  eye  and  along  the  side  of  the  head 
and  neck  ;  side  of  the  breast  (concealed  by  the  wing),  axillaries,  and  under  wing 
coverts,  and  concealed  bases  of  all  the  quills,  with  chin  and  beneath  the  head,  white, 
tinged  with  sulphur-yellow  ;  entire  crown,  from  the  base  of  the  bill  to  a  well-devel- 
oped occipital  crest,  as  also  a  patch  on  the  ramus  of  the  lower  jaw,  scarlet-red  ;  a  few 
white  crescents  on  the  sides  of  the  body  and  on  the  abdomen.  Female  similar  to 
male,  but  without  red  on  the  cheek  and  only  the  back  part  of  crest  red. 

Length  about  18  inches  ;  extent  about  27  ;  wing,  9|  inches. 

Hab. — Formerly  whole  wooded  region  of  North  America  ;  now  rare  or  extirpated 
in  the  more  thickly  settled  parts  of  the  Eastern  States. 

This  bird,  the  largest  of  all  our  Woodpeckers,  is  found  in  Pennsyl- 
vania at  all  seasons,  but  occurs  only  in  the  heavily  wooded  districts, 
and  even  in  these  secluded  localities  it  is  not  common.  In  April, 
1885,  I  found  a  nest  of  the  Pileated  Woodpecker  in  Orange  county, 
Florida,  where  this  species  is  exceedingly  numerous.  It  was  made  in 
a  wild  cherry  tree,  growing  near  the  edge  of  an  orange  grove.  The 
excavation,  about  two  feet,  or  a  little  less  in  depth,  was  made  in  a 
dead  limb.  The  entrance  to  the  nest  was  not  over  twelve  or  fifteen 
feet  from  the  ground.  The  glossy,  white  eggs,  quite  small  for  the  size 
of  the  bird,  were  removed  when  three  had  been  deposited  on  a  few 
chips  at  the  bottom  of  the  opening.  As  the  mouth  of  the  cavity  had 
been  somewhat  broken  when  they  were  taken  out,  I  supposed  the 
birds  would  desert  the  place,  but  about  one  week  later  I  visited  the 
tree  and  saw  a  Pileated  Woodpecker,  which  I  judge  was  the  same 
bird  that  had  been  robbed  by  me,  at  work  in  this  cavity.  Having 
heard  the  bird  working,  I  approached  the  tree  cautiously,  and  stood 
back  of  a  neighboring  tree,  whose  thick  branches,  with  their  abun- 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  21. 


i.  Male;  2.  Female;  j.  Young. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  133 

dant  covering  of  "  long  moss,"  entirely  concealed  my  person  from  this 
woodchopper's  keen  eye.  I  watched,  and  soon  saw  its  large  bill  clasp- 
ing a  chip  appear  at  the  opening  of  the  cavity,  in  another  instant  the 
head  and  neck  were  protruded,  and  after  taking  a  quick  survey  of  all 
surroundings,  as  if  to  assure  herself  that  no  enemy  was  a  witness  to 
her  industry  and  vigilance,  the  chip  was  dropped  down,  and  the  bird 
resumed  her  digging.  After  she  had  thus  reappeared  several  times 
with  pieces  of  wood,  and  always  manifested  the  same  caution  before 
dropping  the  chips,  I,  when  she  again  came  in  view,  made  a  slight 
noise,  but  did  not  show  myself,  when  immediately  she  dropped  back 
into  the  cavity  and  did  not  again  continue  her  labors  or  show  herself, 
although  I  remained  quiet  for  several  minutes.  As  the  dinner  horn 
had  sounded  some  time  before,  I  deemed  it  more  important  to  attend 
to  the  wants  of  the  inner  man  than  to  continue  to  wait  for  the  bird  to 
renew  her  work,  and  picking  up  a  piece  of  shell-rock  I  threw  it  against 
the  limb,  when  she  flew  out  uttering  a  shrill  cry.  These  birds  feed 
largely  on  beetles  and  their  larvae,  which  are  so  abundant  in  dead 
trees.  Wild  grapes,  berries  and  acorns  are  also  sometimes  eaten. 

GENUS  MEL.ANERPES.     SWAINSON. 
406.  Melanerpes  erythrocephalus  (LINN.). 

Red-headed  Woodpecker. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  21.) 

Head  and  neck  all  around  crimson  red,  margined  by  a  narrow  crescent  of  black 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  breast ;  back,  primary  quills,  and  tail  bluish-black  ;  under 
parts  generally,  a  broad  band  across  the  middle  of  the  wing,  and  the  rump  white ; 
belly  usually  tinged  with  reddish.  Bill  and  feet  blue-black  ;  iris  brown.  Female  is 
not  different 

Younrj.—  Head,  neck  and  back  dull  gray,  varied  with  blackish ;  secondary  feath- 
ers, usually  crossed  with  dark  bands.  The  head  in  nearly  all  specimens  taken  in 
fall  and  winter,  with  more  or  less  red  feathers. 

Length,  9^  inches ;  extent  about  18  ;  wing,  5?  inches. 

Hab. — United  States,  west  to  the  Rocky  mountains,  straggling  westward  to  Salt 
Lake  valley  ;  rare  or  local  east  of  the  Hudson  river. 

The  Red-headed  Woodpecker,  readily  recognized  by  its  red,  white 
and  blue  plumage,  is  found  in  Pennsylvania  at  all  seasons,  but  during 
the  summer  is  much  more  abundant  than  at  other  periods.  I  have 
repeatedly  observed  these  birds  during  the  autumn  and  winter  months, 
in  small  parties  numbering  from  eight  to  a  dozen  or  sometimes  twenty 
individuals,  but  never  found  them  in  large  flocks.  Mr.  Gentry  says : 
'•Near  the  center  of  our  State,  especially  in  the  counties  of  Union  and 
Northumberland,  the  greatest  numbers  are  to  be  found.  No  later 
than  the  tenth  of  August,  we  have  seen  immense  flocks,  numbering 
hundreds,  in  orchards,  gleaning  among  the  trunks  and  branches  of 
apple  trees  for  the  insects  which  lurk  in  their  creviced  bark.  So  tame 


134  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

and  confiding  were  they  that  it  was  possible  to  approach  within  a  few 
paces  of  them  without  exciting  suspicion  or  creating  alarm.  In  the 
vicinity  of  the  White  Deer  mountains,  in  Union  county,  they  exist  in 
great  abundance  during  the  breeding  period,  and  are  the  objects  of 
special  protection  by  the  farmers,  for  the  immense  good  which  they 
accomplish  in  the  destruction  of  myriads  of  noxious  insects." 

In  many  localities  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania  during  the  past  few 
years  these  beautiful  birds  have  become  quite  scarce.  As  farmers  and 
fruit-growers  very  generally  seem  to  fully  appreciate  the  beneficent 
services  these  birds  render,  and  seldom  subject  them  to  persecution, 
I  attribute  this  scarcity  largely  to  the  fact  that  the  adult  Red- heads 
find  a  ready  market  for  millinery  purposes.  When  pursued  by  gun- 
ners, these  Woodpeckers  first  endeavor  to  escape  by  flying  to  the  top- 
most branches  of  the  tallest  trees ;  then,  if  further  molested,  they  will 
conceal  themselves  in  holes,  where  I  have  known  them  to  remain  for 
over  one  hour  before  venturing  out. 

In  this  locality  these  birds  subsist  chiefly  on  an  insect  bill  of  fare ; 
cherries,  berries,  occasionally  ripe  apples,  green  corn  and  pears  are 
fed  upon.  In  several  examinations  that  I  have  made  of  birds  shot  in 
the  winter  season  were  discovered  particles  of  acorns,  gravel  and  dif- 
ferent forms  of  insects.  In  the  winter,  like  the  common  Crow  Black- 
birds, the  Red-heads  will  sometimes  visit  corn-cribs  and  feed  on  corn 
which  they  pick  from  the  ears.  Although  I  have  never  seen  this  spe- 
cies store  up  acorns,  etc.,  there  is  no  doubt  that  they  occasionally  thus 
provide  for  themselves. 

In  writing  of  the  food-habits  of  the  Red-  head,  Wilson  says :  u  Though 
this  bird  occasionally  regales  himself  on  fruit,  yet  his  natural  and  most 
useful  food  is  insects,  particularly  those  numerous  and  destructive 
species  that  penetrate  the  bark  and  body  of  the  tree  to  deposit  their 
eggs  and  larvae,  the  latter  of  which  are  well  known  to  make  immense 
havoc.  That  insects  are  his  natural  food  is  evident  from  the  construc- 
tion of  his  wedge-formed  bill,  the  length,  elasticity,  and  figure  of  his 
tongue,  and  the  strength  and  position  of  his  claws,  as  well  as  from  his 
usual  habits.  In  fact,  insects  form  at  least  two-thirds  of  his  subsist- 
ence; and  his  stomach  is  scarcely  ever  found  without  them.  He 
searches  for  them  with  a  dexterity  and  intelligence,  I  may  safely  say, 
more  than  human ;  he  perceives,  by  the  exterior  appearance  of  the 
bark,  where  they  lurk  below ;  when  he  is  dubious,  he  rattles  vehe- 
mently on  the  outside  with  his  bill,  and  his  acute  ear  distinguishes 
the  terrified  vermin  shrinking  within  to  their  inmost  retreats,  where 
his  pointed  and  barbed  tongue  soon  reaches  them.  The  masses  of 
bugs,  caterpillars  and  other  larvas  which  I  have  taken  from  the  stom- 
achs of  these  birds  have  often  surprised  me.  These  larvae,  it  should 
be  remembered,  feed  not  only  on  the  buds,  leaves  and  blossoms,  but 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


135 


on  the  very  vegetable  life  of  the  tree — the  alburnum,  or  newly  form- 
ing bark  and  wood.  The  consequence  is,  that  the  whole  branches  and 
whole  trees  decay  under  the  silent  ravages  of  these  destructive  vermin ; 
witness  the  late  destruction  of  many  hundred  acres  of  pine  trees  in 
the  north-eastern  parts  of  South  Carolina,  and  the  thousands  of  peach 
trees  that  yearly  decay  from  the  same  cause.  Will  any  one  say  that 
taking  half  a  dozen  or  half  a  hundred  apples  from  a  tree  is  equally 
ruinous  with  cutting  it  down,  or  that  the  services  of  a  useful  animal 
should  not  be  rewarded  with  a  small  portion  of  that  which  it  has  con- 
tributed to  preserve?  We  are  told, in  the  benevolent  language  of  the 
Scriptures,  not  to  muzzle  the  mouth  of  the  ox  that  treadeth  out  the 
corn ;  and  why  should  not  the  same  generous  liberality  be  extended 
to  this  useful  family  of  birds,  which  form  so  powerful  a  phalanx  against 
the  inroads  of  manv  millions  of  destructive  vermin  ?" 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1. 

May       6,   1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Beetles  and  sand. 

2. 

May     17,   1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Larvae  and  seeds. 

3. 

June    12,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Cherries. 

4. 

June    12,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Cherries  and  ants. 

5. 
6. 

Sept.     11,  1880,  . 
Sept,     11,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Corn  (maize). 
Black  ants, 

7. 

Sept     11,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Larvae  and  beetles. 

8. 

May       8,   1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Chiefly  beetles  and 

few  dipterous 

insects. 

9. 

July      5,   1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Piece  of  an  apple. 

10. 

March  15,  1886,  . 

Allerton  Farm,  Pa,,   .    . 

Beetles. 

11. 

March  13,  1885,  . 

Volusia,  Florida,  .... 

Palmetto  berries. 

409.  Melanerpes  carolinus  (LiNN.). 

Red-bellied  Woodpecker. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Top  of  head  and  nape  crimson  read;  forehead  whitish,  strongly  tinged  with  light 
red,  a  shade  of  which  is  also  seen  on  the  cheek;  still  stronger  on  the  middle  of  the 
belly.  Under  parts  brownish  white,  with  a  faint  wash  of  yellowish  on  the  belly; 
back,  rump  and  wing  coverts  banded  black  and  white ;  upper  tail  coverts  white, 
with  occasional  blotches;  tail  feathers  black;  first  transversely  b'anded  with  white; 
second  less  so;  all  the  rest  with  whitish  tips;  inner  feathers  banded  with  white  on 
the  inner  web;  the  outer  web  with  a  stripe  of  white  along  the  middle;  iris  red. 

Female  with  the  crown  ashy;  forehead  pale  red;  nape  right  red. 

Length,  9|  inches;  extent  about  17;  wing  about  5  inches. 

Hab. — Eastern  United  States,  to  the  Rocky  mountains;  rare  or  accidental  east  of 
the  Hudson  river. 

Audubon  found  nests  of  Red-bellied  Woodpeckers  in  orchards  in 
Pennsylvania.  The  Messrs.  Baird,  writing  in  1844,  mention  this  species 
as  occuring  in  the  vicinity  of  Carlisle,  Cumberland  county,  in  refer- 
ence to  it  they  say:  u  Abundant ;  most  so  in  winter ;  resident." 

Dr.  Ezra  Michener,  in  his  Chester  county  list  of  1863,  records  this 


136  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

bird  as  a  ''resident,  frequent;  rare  in  summer."  Dr.  Turnbull,  in  his 
Birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  1869,  says,  "  common, 
but  more  frequent  in  summer ;  found  mostly  on  the  larger  trees  of 
the  forest."  Mr.  Gentry,  writing  in  1877  (Life  Histories  of  Birds),. 
observes  that  he  has  found  a  few  of  these  birds  in  Eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania from  November  un,til  the  latter  part  of  April.  According  to 
my  observation,  the  Red-bellied  Woodpecker  occurs  in  Pennsylvania 
only  as  a  rare  winter  visitant.  The  few  birds  observed  by  myself  in 
this  locality  were  exceedingly  shy,  and 'when  found  were  seen  in  tall 
trees  in  the  forests. 

The  stomach  contents  of  three  of  these  birds,  captured  during  the 
winter  months  in  Chester  and  Delaware  counties,  Pa.,  consisted  of 
black  beetles,  larvae,  fragments  of  acorns,  and  a  few  seeds  of  wild 
grapes. 

In  various  sections  of  Florida  where  the  Red-bellied  Woodpeckers 
are  exceedingly  numerous ;  in  fact,  by  odds,  the  most  abundant  of  all 
the  woodpeckers,  the  common  names  of  "  Orange  Sapsucker "  and 
"  Orange-borer  "  are  universally  applied  to  them.  On  making  inquiry 
of  farmers  and  others,  I  learned  that  the  names  were  given  because 
these  woodpeckers  a  sucked  the  sap  "  of  orange  trees  and  fed  on  oranges. 
Supposing  these  statements  were  wrongfully  made,  I,  at  first,  gave 
but  little  attention  to  them.  When,  however,  I  visited  Welaka,  Palatka, 
Volusia,  Deland  and  other  places  where  numerous  orange  trees  were 
thriving,  I  was  informed  by  the  orange  growers  that  the  Red-bellied 
Woodpeckers  oftentimes  destroyed  large  numbers  of  oranges  when 
they  had  matured  and  were  ready  for  picking;  also,  that  athey  dam- 
aged the  orange  trees  by  boring  holes  in  them  and  sucking  the  sap." 
I  had  but  little  opportunity  of  making  a  careful  study  of  this  orange- 
eating  habit,  so  greatly  talked  about,  owing  to  the  fact  that  when  I 
first  visited  these  localities  it  was  late  in  February,  or  after  the  oranges 
had  been  picked  and  shipped  north.  In  the  month  of  March,  1885, 1 
camped  a  few  days  at  "  Bluffton,"  near  Volusia,  in  an  orange  grover 
owned  by  Mr.  Bird,  of  New  York  city.  This  grove  contained  about 
thirty  acres  of  trees,  which  were  loaded  with  fruit,  then  being  picked 
for  market.  Through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Bird  and  his  overseer,  Mr. 
Curtis,  I  collected  twenty-six  Red-bellied  Woodpeckers  in  this  orange 
grove,  eleven  of  these  birds  had  fed  to  a  more  or  less  extent  on  oranges. 

Three  of  the  eleven  stomachs  taken  from  specimens  killed  in  the 
forenoon,  soon  after  daylight,  contained  only  orange  pulp.  Eight 
stomachs  showed,  in  addition  to  orange  pulp,  insects  and  berries.  The 
stomachs  of  the  remaining  fifteen  birds  contained  no  traces  of  oranges, 
but  revealed  chiefly  insects,  a  few  berries  and  seeds.  I  examined  two 
dozen  or  more  oranges  which  had  been  attacked  by  the  Woodpeckers, 
and  found  that  all  had  been  bored  about  midway  between  the  stem 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  22. 


9 1 1 


2. 


i.  Male;   3.  Female. 


BIRDS  or  PENNSYLVANIA.  137 

and  blossom  end.  These  holes,  always  round,  varied  greatly  in  size. 
The  birds  usually,  I  think,  pick  off  the  skin  from  a  space  about  the 
size  of  an  ordinary  five  cent  piece,  and  then  eat  out  the  pulp.  In  an 
orchard  at  Hawkinsville,  near  Deland  Landing,  on  the  St.  John's  river, 
I  oftentimes,  in  the  month  of  April,  1SS5,  found  oranges  which  had 
been  evidently  overlooked  when  the  crop  was  gathered,  and  in  most 
nces  observed  that  they  wfere  bored.  In  this  orchard,  on  oneoc- 
:i,  I  saw  a  Red-bellied  Woodpecker  eating  an  orange.  He  evi- 
dently recognized  the  fact  that  it  was  about  the  last  of  the  season,  as 
he  had  enlarged  the  opening  sufficiently  that  his  head  was  almost  en- 
tirely hidden  in  the  yellow  skin,  from  the  sides  of  which  he  picked  the 
remaining  particles  of  pulp.  I  was  shown  orange  trees  that  these 
"  Sap-suckers  "  were  said  to  have  bored,  these  borings,  however,  did 
not  appear  to  in  jure  the  trees,  as  they  seemed  to  me  to  be  equally  as 
flourishing  as  other  trees  whose  trunks  showed  no  marks  of  a  wood- 
pecker's bill. 

GENUS  COLAPTES.    SWAINSON. 
412.    Colaptes  auratus  (LrNN.). 

Flicker. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  gg.) 

Bill  differs  from  other  of  our  woodpeckers.  It  is  long,  slender,  slightly  curved, 
without  lateral  ridges;  nostrils  exposed.  Shafts  and  under  surfaces  of  wing  and 
tail  feathers  gamboge  yellow  ;  a  black  patch  on  each  side  of  the  cheek  ;  a  red  cres- 
cent on  the  upper  part  of  hind-neck,  throat  and  stripe  beneath  the  eye  pale  lilac 
brown.  A  creseentic  patch  on  the  breast  and  rounded  spots  on  the  belly  black  ;  back 
and  wing  coverts  with  interrupted  transverse  bands  of  black;  neck  above  and  on 
sides  ashy.  In  the  female  the  black  check  patch  is  usually  absent 

Length,  about  12^  inches  ;  extent  about  20  ;  wing  about  6  inches. 

Hub. — Northern  and  eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky 
mountains  and  Alaska,  Occasional  on  the  Pacific  slope  from  California  northward. 
Accidental  in  Europe, 

This  species,  the  most  common  of  all  our  Woodpeckers,  is  found  in 
Pennsylvania  during  all  months  of  the  3^ear,  but  is  far  more  numerous 
in  the  summer  season  than  at  other  times.  The  Flicker,  like  all  of  the 
Woodpeckers,  flies  in  an  undulatory  manner.  When  flying  it  is  easily 
recognized  from  other  species  by  its  conspicuous  golden-yellow  under 
parts  of  the  tail  and  wings  and  white  rump.  As  previously  remarked, 
WToodpeckers  are  not  commonly  seen  on  the  ground ;  in  this  particu 
lar,  however,  the  subject  of  this  present  sketch  differs  from  other  of 
his  kin,  as  he  is  frequently  to  be  observed  hopping  about  in  grass  fields, 
meadows  or  along  the  roadside  searching  for  food.  Although  the 
Flicker  commonly  lays  about  six  eggs,  I  have  known  as  many  as  seven- 
teen eggs  to  have  been  taken  from  the  nest  of  one  bird.  Flickers  are 
great  destroyers  of  ants:  they  also  subsist  on  various  forms  of  noxious 


138  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

insects,  and  in  the  fall  and  winter  season,  eat  in  addition  to  insect- 
food,  berries,  wild  cherries,  small  seeds  of  grasses,  etc. 


ORDER  MACROCHIRES.   GOATSUCKERS  AND  SWIFTS. 

SUBORDER  CAPRIMULGI.     GOATSUCKERS. 
FAMILY  CAPRIMULGID-ffi.     GOATSUCKERS. 

GENUS  ANTROSTOMUS.     GOULD. 
417.    Antrostomus  vociferus  (WiLS.). 

Whip-poor-will. 

(Plate  23,} 

Length  about  10  inches ;  extent  of  wings  about  18  inches. 
Hab. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  south  to  Guatemala. 

The  name  of  u  Goatsuckers,"  given  to  members  of  this  family, 
originated  from  a  silly  notion  that  the  European  species  sucked  the 
teats  of  goats.  It  is  misleading  and  should  be  abolished. 

Although  the  Whip  poor- will  and  Night  Hawk  are  generally  re- 
garded, by  those  who  are  not  versed  in  ornithology,  as  the  same  bird, 
it  can  readily  be  seen,  by  referring  to  plate  23,  that  they  differ  greatly. 
It  will  be  observed  that  the  Whip-poor-will  has  conspicuous,  long  and 
stiff  bristles  at  the  base  of  bill ;  the  bill  of  the  Night  Hawk  is  not  fur- 
nished with  long,  conspicuous  and  stiff  bristles.  The  Whip-poor-will 
has  no  white  spot  on  the  primaries ;  the  Night  Hawk  has  a  well-marked 
spot  of  white  on  five  outer  primaries.  The  white  on  tail  of  males  of 
both  species  is  also  different.  In  the  Whip-poor-will  the  lower  half, 
of  the  three  outer  tail  featers,  is  white;  Night  Hawk  has  a  broad 
white  bar  crossing  the  tail  (except  middle  feathers)  near  the  tip.  The 
males,  both  species,  have  transverse  white  throat  bars.  The  female 
Whip-poor-will  has  a  tawny  throat  bar,  and  inconspicuous  terminal 
spots  of  the  same  color  on  lateral  tail  feathers.  Female  Night  Hawk, 
throat  bar  tawny,  white  spot  on  wing,  but  no  terminal  patch  of  white 
crossing  tail. 

The  Whip-poor-will  is  a  rather  common  summer  resident  in  the 
wooded  and  mountainous  portions  of  Pennsylvania.  It  arrives  in  this 
locality  from  April  22  to  May  1,  and  migrates  southward  in  Septem- 
ber. The  Whip-poor-will  migrates  singly  or  in  pairs,  and,  unlike  the 
Night  Hawk,  is  never  to  be  found  in  flocks.  The  Whip-poor-will  is 
nocturnal  in  habits,  and  is  seldom  seen  during  the  day  unless  acci- 
dentally discovered  in  a  state  of  repose,  when,  if  started,  it  rises  and 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  23. 


@^&<g@£iMl 

s 


Males. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  139 

flies  off,  but  only  to  such  a  distance  as  it  considers  necessary,  in  order 
to  secure  it  from  the  farther  intrusion  of  the  disturber  of  its  noon-day 
slumbers.  "  Its  flight  is  very  low,  light,  swift,  noiseless  and  protracted, 
as  the  bird  moves  over  the  places  which  it  inhabits,  in  pursuit  of  the 
moths,  beetles  and  other  insects  of  which  its  food  is  composed.  Dur- 
ing the  day,  it  sleeps  on  the  ground,  the  lowest  branches  of  small  trees, 
or  the  fallen  trunks  of  trees,  so  abundantly  dispersed  through  the 
woods.  In  such  situatians,  you  may  approach  within  a  few  feet  of  it; 
and,  should  you  observe  it  whilst  asleep,  and  not  make  any  noi^e  suf- 
ficient to  alarm  it,  will  suffer  you  to  pass  quite  near  without  taking 
flight,  as  it  seems  to  sleep  with  great  soundness,  especially  about  the 
middle  of  the  day.  In  rainy  or  very  cloudy  weather,  it  sleeps  less, 
and  is  more  on  the  alert.  Its  eyes  are  then  kept  open  for  hours  at  a 
time,  and  it  flies  off  as  soon  as  it  discovers  an  enemy  approaching, 
which  it  can  do,  at  such  times,  at  a  distance  of  twenty  or  thirty  yards. 
"  It  always  appears  with  its  body  parallel  to  the  direction  of  the  branch 
or  trunk  on  which  it  sits,  and,  I  believe,  never  alights  across  a  branch 
or  fence  rail.  uNo  sooner  has  the  sun  disappeared  beneath  the  hori 
zon,  than  this  bird  bestirs  itself,  and  sets  out  in  pursuit  of  insects.  It 
passes  low  over  the  bushes,  moves  to  the  right  or  left,  alights  on  the 
ground  to  secure  its  prey,  passes  repeatedly  in  different  directions  over 
the  same  field,  skims  along  the  skirts  of  the  woods  and  settles  occa- 
sionally on  the  tops  of  the  fence  stakes  or  on  the  stumps  of  trees, 
from  whence  it  sallies,  like  a  Flycatcher,  after  insects,  and  on  seizing 
them  returns  to  the  same  spot.  u  When  thus  situated,  it  frequently 
alights  on  the  ground,  to  pick  up  a  beetle ;  it  also  balances  itself  in  the 
air,  in  front  of  the  trunks  of  trees,  or  against  the  sides  of  banks,  to 
discover  ants  and  other  small  insects  that  may  be  lurking  there.  It 
is  a  remarkable  fact  that  even  the  largest  moths  on  which  the  Whip- 
poor-will  feeds,  are  always  swallowed  tail  foremost,  and  when  swal- 
lowed, the  wings  and  legs  are  found  closely  laid  together,  and  as  if 
partially  glued  by  the  saliva  or  gastric  juice  of  the  bird.  The  act  of 
deglutition  must  be  greatly  aided  by  the  long  bristly  feathers  of  the 
upper  mandible,  as  these  no  doubt  force  the  wings  of  the  insects  close 
together,  before  they  enter  the  mouth." — Audubon.  In  several  of 
these  birds,  which  I  have  examined,  were  found  only  insects,  chiefly 
of  a  lepidopterous  character;  once  I  took  from  the  stomach  of  a  male 
bird  the  remains  of  two  or  three  common  potato  beetles.  The  Whip- 
poor-will  never  builds  a  nest.  In  this  section,  it  deposits  its  eggs  about 
the  20th  of  May,  on  the  bare  ground,  or  on  dry  leaves,  and  occasion- 
ally, though  rarely,  it  is  said  on  logs,  in  the  gloomy  retreats  of  thickets 
or  woods.  The  eggs,  never  more  than  two  in  number,  are  white  or 
yellowish  white,  irregularly  spotted  or  Llotched  with  brown,  and  blu- 
ish-gray. They  measure  about  1.25  inches  in  length  and  .89  of  an  inch 


140  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

in  width.  This  bird,  like  the  Chuck- will's-widow,*  when  flying  about 
in  quest  of  food,  may  be  heard  to  utter  a  kind  of  low  growling  sound. 
This  noise  is  the  only  sound  I  ever  heard  the  Whip-poor-will  make 
when  on  the  wing. 


GENUS  CHORBEILES.     SWAINSON. 
420.    Chordeiles  virginianus.    (GMEL.). 

Night  Hawk. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  23). 

Male,  above  mottled  with  blackish,  grayish  and  rufous  ;  a  white  V-shaped  mark 
on  the  throat ;  behind  this  a  collar  of  pale  rufous  blotches,  and  another  on  the  breast 
of  grayish  mottling ;  under  parts  banded  transversely  with  dull-yellowish  or  red- 
dish white  and  brown  ;  wing  quills  quite  uniformly  brown  ;  the  five  outer  prima- 
ries with  a  white  blotch  midway  between  the  tip  and  carpal  joint,  not  extending  on 
the  outer  web  of  the  outer  quill  ;  tail  with  a  terminal  white  patch. 

Female  without  the  caudal  white  patch,  the  white  of  the  throat  mixed  with  red- 
dish. Length  about  9§  inches  ;  extent  about  23 ;  wing  about  8  inches. 

Hab. — Northern  and  eastern  North  America,  east  of  the  Great  Plains,  south 
through  tropical  America  to  Buenos  Ayres. 

The  Night  Hawk  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  as  a  common  summer  resi- 
dent. It  usually  arrives  from  its  southern  winter  resorts,  a  few  days 
after  the  Whip-poor-wills  have  made  their  appearance.  The  note  of 
the  Night  Hawk,  is  a  short,  sharp  squeak.  During  the  breeding  season 
this  bird  has  a  curious  habit,  when  flying,  of  falling  through  the  air 
with  a  loud  booming  sound,  which  as  Nuttall  has  truly  said,  resembles 
the  noise  produced  by  blowing  into  the  bung-hole  of  an  empty  hogs- 
head. This  peculiar  booming  or  whirring  sound,  which  can  be  heard 
oftentimes  to  the  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile  or  over,  is  produced, 
it  is  stated,  by  the  air  rushing  through  the  stiff  wing  feathers.  The 
Night  Hawk  never  breeds  in  woods  or  thickets,  but  deposits  her  two 
eggs  on  the  bare  ground  or  rocks  in  open  situations ;  the  favorite 
breeding  places  are  barren  and  rocky  lands,  though  sometimes  they 
have  been  known  to  deposit  their  eggs  on  roofs  of  buildings  in  large 
cities  and  towns,  over  which  these  birds  all  day  long  may  be  seen  or 
heard  flying  in  pursuit  of  their  favorite  insect  prey. 

The  eggs,  elliptical  in  shape  and  about  the  same  size  as  those  of  the 
Whip-poor-will,  so  closely  resemble  the  ground  or  pieces  of  rock  on 
which  they  are  deposited,  that  they  are  frequently  overlooked  by 
persons  who  are  accustomed  to  searching  for  them.  The  Night  Hawk, 
like  the  Whip-poor-will,  manifests  great  affection  for  her  eggs  and 

*The  Chuck-wilTs-widow  (Antrostomm  carolinenxis  (GmeL\  inhabits  the  south  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  States,  "  and  lower  Mississippi  Valley,  north  to  the  Caroliuas  and  southern  Illinois.1'  said  to 
winter  chiefly  south -of  United  States,  in  Mexico,  Central  America,  etc.  April,  1SS3, 1  found  this 
species  breeding  in  Orange  and  Volusia  counties,  Florida,  where  these  birds  arc  abundant.  In 
February  and  March  I  neither  saw  or  heard  them,  and  residents  of  Florida  assured  me  that  the 
44  Chuck-will,"  as  the  bird  is  there  known,  was  found  in  that  State  only  as  a  summer  resident. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


141 


young,  and  will  resort  to  numerous  devices  to  induce  you  to  follow 
her.  when  these  treasurers  are  approached  or  discovered.  It  is  stated 
that  birds  of  this  family  have  a  common  habit,  when  their  eggs  or 
young  are  disturbed,  of  removing  them  in  their  capacious  mouths,  to 
different  localities.  I  have  known  the  Night  Hawk  to  move  its  eggs  a 
distance  of  over  two  hundred  yards,  in  less  than  one  hour  after  I  had 
examined  them.  In  the  breeding  season  especially,  these  birds  are 
frequently  seen  sitting  lengthwise  on  fences  and  on  the  limbs  of  high 
trees,  in  the  vicinity  of  their  breeding  grounds.  Several  pairs  of 
Night  Hawks  may  often  be  found  breeding  within  a  few  yards  of  each 
other.  The  Night  Hawk,  although  oftentimes  observed  flying  about 
during  the  daytime,  is  particularly  active  in  the  afternoon,  and  in 
cloudy  weather.  This  bird  when  on  the  wing,  if  not  too  distant,  can 
easily  be  recognized  by  the  white  spot  on  the  primaries,  which  is  com- 
monly spoken  of  as  a  wi  hole  in  the  wing."  Dujing  the  latter  part  of 
August,  these  birds  collect  in  large  bands  and  leisurely  proceed  to 
winter  quarters  in  Mexico,  Central  America,  and  portions  of  South 
America,  etc. 

The  somewhat  prevalent  idea  that  Night  Hawks  are  destroyers  of 
young  poultry  is  simply  absurd,  as  it  requires  only  a  careless  exami- 
nation of  a  specimen  to  prove  conclusively  that  it  would  be  physically 
impossible  for  them  to  capture  such  prey. 

The  great  mistake  of  applying  improper  vernacular  names  to  birds, 
was  clearly  demonstrated  during  the  enforcement  of  the  scalp  act  of 
1885,  when  commissioners,  of  whom  I  have  knowledge,  took  the  stand 
that  they  were  obliged  to  allow  bounty  on  the  Night  Hawk,  because 
it  was  known  as  a  "  hawk." 

Audubon  writing  of  this  species  states  that  the  food  consists  entirely 
of  insects,  especially  beetles,  although  they  also  feed  on  moths  and 
caterpillars,  and  are  very  expert  at  catching  crickets  and  grasshoppers, 
with  which  they  sometimes  gorge  themselves,  as  they  fly  over  the 
ground  with  great  rapidity.  4iWhen  flying  closely  over  the  water 
they  occasionally  drink  in  the  manner  of  swallows." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May         5,  1879,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .   . 

Flies  and  other  insects, 

2 

July       20,  1879,  . 

Delaware  county,  Pa.,  . 

Grasshoppers. 

3 

May        30,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  larvse. 

4 

August  13,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Many  crickets,  etc. 

5 

August  13,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Many  crickets,  etc. 

6 

August  13,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Manv  crickets,  etc. 

7 

May       20,  18S3,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Water  beetles. 

8 

May       28,  1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa-,  .    . 

Beetles  and  two  lirae-like-masses. 

9 

April      —  ,  18S5,  . 

Orange  county,  Fla.,  .  . 

Various  insects. 

10 
11 

April      —  ,  1885. 
June         1,  1886,  . 

Orange  county,  Fla.,  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   . 

Beetles  and  large  flies. 
Various  insects. 

142 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


SUBORDER   CYPSELI.     SWIFTS. 

FAMILY  MICROPODID-ffi.     SWIFTS. 
SUBFAMILY  CILS TURING.    SPINE-TAILED  SWIFTS. 

GENUS  CHJETURA.     STEPHENS. 
423.  Chsetura  pelagica  (LINN.). 

Chimney  Swift. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Tail  slightly  rounded  and  spiny  ;  of  a  sooty  brown  all  over,  except  on  the  throat, 
which  becomes  considerably  lighter  from  the  breast  to  the  bill ;  above  with  a  green- 
ish tinge  ;  the  rump  a  little  paler.  Length,  5.25  inches  ;  wing,  5.10;  tail,  2.15. 

Hab.— Eastern  North  America,  north  to  Labrador  and  the  fur  countries,  west  to 
the  plains,  and  passing  south  of  the  United  States  in  winter. 

The  Chimney-bird,  unless  resting  on  its  nest  or  clinging  to  the  sooty 
chimney  sides,  is  always  seen  flying  In  Pennsylvania  these  birds  are 
generally  first  observed  about  the  last  week  in  April.  In  the  early 
autumn  they  collect  in  large  flocks  before  retiring  to  their  winter  re- 
sorts. I  have  observed  birds  of  this  species  in  Chester  county  (Pa.) 
as  late  as  the  20th  of  October.  In  this  locality  the  nest  of  the  Chim- 
ney-Swift, or  Swallow,  as  it  is  mostly  called,  is  composed  of  small 
twigs,  which  are  glued  together  and  to  the  sooty  walls  of  unused 
chimneys,  with  the  birds'  saliva.*  The  twigs  used  in  constructing  nests 
are  broken  off  of  trees  by  these  birds  when  on  the  wing.  The  eggs, 
four  to  six  in  number,  are  white  and  unspotted.  They  measure  about 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  length  and  about  half  an  inch  in  width, 

FOOD. 

These  birds  subsist  entirely  on  various  kinds  of  insects  which  they 
collect  during  the  night  as  well  as  in  daylight. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

2 

June    8,  1880, 
June   8,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  other  small-  winged  insects. 
Remains  of  beetles  and  other  insects. 

3 

June    8,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Dipterous  insects. 

4 

June    8,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Fragments  of  beetles  and  other  insects. 

5 

May     1,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Beetles. 

6 

7 

May     1,  1880, 
June    8,  1883, 

Willistown,   Pa.,  .    . 
Newark,  Delaware, 

Beetles  and  small-winged  insects. 
Beetles  and  caterpillar. 

8 

June    8,  1883, 

Newark,  Delaware, 

Beetles. 

9 

June    8,  1883, 

Newark,  Delaware, 

Beetles. 

10 

June    8,  1883, 

Newark,  Delaware, 

Beetles  and  dipterous  insects. 

11 

June    2,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Larvae  and  flies. 

12 

Aug.  11,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Dipterous  insects. 

*  A  writer  in  a  recent  scientific  journal,  which  I  have  mislaid,  says :  "  In  the  case  of  our  own 
Chimney-Swifts  it  has  lately  been  shown  that  the  gelatinous  matter  with  which  the  twigs  are 
fastened  together  is  of  a  vegetable  and  not  an  animal  character,  and  in  a  particular  case  re- 
cently investigated  by  a  scientist,  the  gum  was  found  to  have  come  from  a  cherry  tree." 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  143 

SUBORDER   TROCHILL     HUMMINGBIRDS. 
FAMILY  TROCHILID-flS.     HUMMINGBIRDS. 

GENUS  TROCHLLTJS.     LINN^US. 
428.    Trochilus  colubris  LINN. 

Ruby-throated  Hummingbird. 

DDSCRIPTION. 

Male. — Tail  deeply  forked,  the  feathers  all  narrow  and  pointed  ;  uniform  metallic 
green  above  ;  sides  of  body  greenish  ;  below  white  ;  ruby-red  gorget ;  wings  and  tail 
purplish-black. 

Female. — Metallic  green  of  upper  parts  duller  than  in  male  ;  tail  double  rounded; 
its  feathers  pointed  but  broader  than  in  male ;  no  red  on  throat ;  the  tail  feathers 
banded  with  black  ;  the  lateral  ones  broadly  tipped  with  white. 

Young  Male. — Very  similar  to  adult  female,  but  throat  more  or  less  streaked  with 
dark,  tail  also  more  forked  than  in  female.  Nearly  all  specimens  show  a  trace  of 
metallic  red  on  throat. 

Young  Fern  a  le.— Throat  white,  without  streaks  or  specks  ;  tail  less  forked,  other- 
wise similar  to  young  male.  Irides  in  old  and  young  brown.  Length  about  3.25 
inches ;  'extent  of  wings  about  5  inches. 

Hab.— Eastern  North  America  to  the  Plains,  north  to  the  fur  countries,  and  south, 
in  winter,  to  Cuba  and  Veragua. 

Although  fifteen  distinct  species  of  Hummingbirds  are  given  by  Dr. 
Elliott  Couee,  as  occurring  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  only 
one — the  Ruby-throat — is  found  east  of  the  Mississippi  river.  Hum- 
mingbirds, as  Dr.  Coues  observes,  are  peculiar  to  America.  Species 
are  found  from  Alaska  to  Patagonia.  In  tropical  South  America,  par- 
ticularly New  Granada,  these  beautiful  feathered  gems  are  most 
abundant.  There  are,  it  is  stated,  over  four  hundred  different  species 
of  Hummers  known  to  scientists. 

The  Euby-throated  Hummingbirds,  the  smallest  of  all  our  feathered 
visitants,  arrive  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  first  week  in  May  and  re- 
mains until  about  the  middle  of  September,  when  they  migrate  south. 
This  species  is  common  during  the  winter  in  Florida,  where  they  also, 
it  is  said,  breed.  During  the  months  of  February,  March  and  until 
about  the  20th  of  April.  I  found  these  birds  to  be  quite  numerous  in 
the  orange  orchards  along  the  St.  John's  river.  Although  Humming- 
birds cannot  be  called  gregarious,  it  is  not  at  all  uncommon,  especially 
in  the  spring,  to  see  a  flock  of  twenty  or  more  of  these  birds  feeding 
among  the  flowers  of  some  favorite  tree.  I  have,  at  one  time,  counted 
thirty  odd  Hummers,  feeding,  fighting  and  pluming  themselves,  among 
the  flowers  of  a  single  horse-chestnut  tree.  The  Hummingbird  never 
alights  on  the  ground,  though  it  often  rests  on  twigs  and  branches. 
When  sitting  in  trees  or  bushes  it  may  frequently  be  observed  to 
spread  out  one  wing  and  draw  the  quill-feathers  through  its  bill.  The 


144  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

nest,  a  beautiful  cup-shaped  structure,  is  composed  of  downy  sub- 
tances,  chiefly  of  a  vegetable  character,  covered  externally  with  lich- 
ens "  which  are  glued  on  with  the  viscid  saliva  of  the  little  workers;'1 
in  many  instances  the  lichen  coverings  are  strengthened  by  strands 
of  cobwebs.  This  bird  is  not  at  all  particular  as  to  the  situation  which 
it  chooses  for  nest-building.  Sometimes  it  builds  in  a  honeysuckle 
vine  or  a  rose  bush ;  at  other  times  it  erects  a  domicile  in  an  apple  or 
pear  tree,  usually,  however,  the  nest  is  built  on  an  oak  or  beech  tree 
in  the  woods,  and  is  placed  mostly  on  the  upper  side  of  a  horizontal 
limb.  It  is  constructed  by  the  united  labor  of  both  birds,  who  com- 
plete the  work  in  five  or  six  days.  In  this  locality  the  nest  is  gener- 
ally built  about  the  last  week  in  May.  A  nest  now  before  me  meas- 
ures a  little  over  one  inch  and  a  half  in  height  and  one  inch  and  a 
half  in  diameter ;  the  cavity  is  three-quarters  of  an  inch  wide  and  the 
same  in  depth.  This  nest  was  built  on  the  upright  limb  of  a  beech 
tree,  where  for  three  consecutive  years  a  pair  of  Hummers  regularly 
nested,  each  season  building  a  new  nest  over  the  few  remaining  frag- 
ments of  their  abode  of  the  previous  year.  The  white  eggs,  never 
more  than  two  in  number,  are  elliptical  in  shape,  equally  obtuse  at 
both  ends  and  measure  .50  by  .33  of  an  inch.  The  period  of  incuba- 
tion is  about  ten  days.  Occasionally,  though  rarely  I  think,  two 
broods  are  reared  in  one  season.  Although  these  birds  feed  among 
the  flowers  of  various  plants,  they  prefer  those  of  the  horse  chestnut, 
honeysuckle  and  trumpet  vine.  From  the  fact  that  these  diminutive 
creatures  are  generally  observed  about  flowering  plants,  the  popular 
yet  erroneous  belief  has  arisen  that  they  subsist  entirely  on  the  sweets 
of  flowers.  Audubon  writing  of  this  species,  says :  u  Their  food  consists 
principally  of  insects,  generally  of  the  coleopterous  order,  these,  to- 
gether with  some  equally  diminutive  flies,  being  commonly  found  in 
their  stomachs.  The  first  are  procured  within  the  flowers,  but  many 
of  the  latter  on  the  wing.  The  Hummingbird  might  therefore  be 
looked  upon  as  an  expert  fly-catcher.  The  nectar  or  honey  which 
they  sip  from  the  different  flowers,  being  of  itself  insufficient  to  sup- 
port them,  is  used  more  as  if  to  allay  their  thirst.  I  have  seen  many 
of  these  birds  kept  in  partial  confinement  when  they  were  supplied 
with  artificial  flowers  made  for  the  purpose,  in  the  corallas  of  which 
water  with  honey  or  sugar  dissolved  in  itwas  placed.  The  birds  were 
fed  on  these  substances  exclusively,  but  seldom  lived  many  months, 
and  on  being  examined  after  death,  were  found  to  be  extremely  ema- 
ciated. Others,  on  the  contrary,  which  were  supplied  twice  a  day 
with  fresh  flowers  from  the  woods  or  garden,  placed  in  a  room  with 
windows  merely  closed  with  gauge  netting,  through  which  minute 
insects  were  able  to  enter,  lived  twelve  months,  at  the  expiration  of 
which  time  they  were  liberated." 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


145 


1                            1 
No.          DATE.                  LOCALITY. 

FOOD  MATERIALS. 

1 

May  30,  1883, 

West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  worms  and  numerous  small  spiders.* 

2 

May  30,  1883, 

West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  flies  and  beetles.* 

3 

May  30,  1883, 

West  Chester,  Pa,, 

Small  flies  and  beetles.* 

4 

Mav  12,  18S4,      West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  flies  and  beetles.* 

5 

Mav  14,  lss4,      West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  green-colored  beetlea* 

6 

Mav  14,  1S84,      West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  green-colored  beetles.* 

7      May  14,  1884,      West  Chester,  Pa.,    Small  green-colored  beetles.* 

8     May  14,  1884,      West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  green-colored  beetles  and  flies.* 

9     Mav  14,  1884,  j  West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  green-colored  beetles  and  flies.* 

10      Mav  14,  1884, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,(  Small  green-colored  beetles.* 

11      Mav  14,  ISXJL 

West  Chester,  Pa.,    Small  green-colored  beetles.* 

12      Mav  14,  1884, 

West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  green-colored  beetles.* 

13     May  14,  1884, 

West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  green-colored  beetles.* 

14      Mav  14,  1884, 

West  Chester,  Pa,, 

Small  green-colored  beetles  and  spiders.* 

15      Mav  14.  1884, 
16      Mav  14,  1884, 

West  Chester,  Pa,, 
West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  green-colored  beetles  and  spiders.* 
Small  green-colored  beetles  and  spiders.* 

17     May  14,  1884,  ' 

West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  green-colored  beetles.* 

18 

Aug.  3,  1884, 

West  Chester,  Pa,, 

Small  black  beetles. 

19 

Aug.  5,  1884, 

West  Chester,  Pa,, 

Small  black  beetles. 

20 

Aug.  5,  1884, 

West  Chester,  Pa., 

Small  black  beetles. 

In  addition  to  Audubon's  observations  on  the  food  habits  and  my 
own  examinations  given  in  the  above  table,  it  might  be  added  that  in 
March  and  April,  1885,  I  shot  seventeen  of  these  birds  in  the  Florida 
orange  orchards  and  found  that  all  had  only  insects  in  their  viscera. 
May  14,  1886,  I  received  from  Mr.  George  Hartman,  of  West  Chester, 
Pa.,  fifteen  Hummers  which  had  been  captured  while  feeding  among 
the  flowers  of  a  horse-chestnut  tree.  The  stomachs  of  these  birds, 
which  were  kindly  examined  fqr  me  by  Prof.  C.  V.  Riley,  entomolo- 
gist. United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C., 
showed  chiefly  the  remains  of  small  spiders  and  some  few  coleopte- 
rous insects. 


ORDER  PASSEBES.    PERCHING  BIRDS. 

SUBORDER  CLAMATORES.    SOXGLESS  PERCHING  BIRDS. 
FAMILY  TYRANNID-ffl.     TYRANT  FLYCATCHERS,  f 

*  These  seventeen  birds  were  all  killed  when  feeding  in  horse-chestnut  trees. 

tOf  the  several  species  of  this  highly  beneficial  family  which  occur  in  Pennsylvania  as  sum- 
mer residents  or  passing  visitants  but  two,  viz :  the  King-bird  and  and  common  Pewee,  are  gen- 
erally known  to  those  who  are  not  interested  in  ornithological  pursuits.  Both  of  these  birds  are 
common  breeders  about  the  habitations  of  man,  and  unlike  most  others  of  their  kin  are  not  shy 
or  difficult  to  approach.  Although  at  times  some  of  the  Flycatchers  descend  to  the  earth  for 
food,  it  is  safe  to  say  that  these  birds,  collectively  considered,  are  seldom  observed  on  the 
ground  leeding.  "The  structure  of  the  bill  is  admirably  adapted  for  the  capture  of  winged 
insects :  the  broad  and  deeply  fissured  mandibles  form  a  capacious  mouth,  while  the  long  bristles 
are  of  service  in  entangling  the  creatures  in  a  trap  and  restraining  their  struggles  to  escape. 
The  shape  of  the  wings  and  tail  confers  the  power  of  rapid  and  varied  aerial  evolutions  necessary 
1'or  the  successful  pursuit  of  active  Hying  insects.  A  little  practice  in  field  ornithology  will 
•enable  one  to  recognize  the  flycatchers  from  their  habit  of  perching  in  wait  for  their  prey  upon 

10  BIRDS. 


146  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

some  prominent  out-post,  in  a  peculiar  attitude,  with  the  wings  and  tail  drooped  and  vibrating- 
in  readiness  for  instant  action,  and  of  dashing  into  the  air,  seizing  the  passing  insect  with  a  quick 
movement  and  a  click  of  the  bill,  and  then  reuirning  to  their  stand.  Although  certain  Oscincs 
have  somewhat  the  same  habit,  these  pursue  insects  from  place  to  place,  instead  of  perching  in 
wait  at  a  particular  spot,  and  their  forays  are  not  made  with  such  admirable  dan.  Depending- 
entirely  upon  insect  food,  the  Flycatchers  are  necessarily  migratory  in  our  latitude.  They 
appear  with  great  regularity  in  spring  and  depart  en  the  approach  of  cold  weather  in  the  fall. 
The  voice,  susceptible  of  little  modulation,  is  usually  harsh  and  strident,  though  some  specie* 
have  no  unmusical  whistle  or  twitter."— Owes'  Key,  page  429. 

GENUS  TYRANNUS.     CUVIER. 
444.  Tyrannus,  tyrannus  (LINN.). 

Kingbird;  Beebird. 

(Plate  24.} 

Length  about  8g  inches  ;  extent  about  14§  inches  ;  bill  and  feet  black  ;  iris  brown; 
above  blackish-ash  ;  top  of  head  quite  black  ;  crown  with  a  concealed  patch  of  orange 
red ;  lower  parts  pure  white,  tinged  with  pale  bluish-ash  on  the  sides  of  the  throat 
and  across  the  breast;  sides  of  breast  and  under  the  wings  similar  to,  but  rather 
lighter  than,  the  back  ;  axilleries  pale  grayish-brown  tipped  with  lighter ;  the  wings 
dark -brown,  darkest  toward  the  end  of  the  quills ;  the  greater  coverts  and  quills 
edged  with  white,  most  so  on  the  tertials ;  the  lesser  coverts  edged  with  paler ;  upper 
tail  coverts  and  upper  surface  of  the  tail  glossy  black,  the  latter  very  dark  brown 
beneath  ;  all  the  feathers  tipped,  and  the  exterior  margined  externally  with  white, 
forming  a  conspicuous  terminal  band  about  .25  of  an  inch  broad. 

Young.—  Very  similar  but  colors  generally  duller  ;  the  concealed  colored  patch  on 
the  crown  wanting;  the  tail  and  wings  in  some  specimens  often  edged  with  rusty. 

Hab.— Eastern  North  America,  from  British  Provinces  south  to  Central  and  South 
America.  Rare  west  of  the  Rocky  mountains  (Utah,  Nevada,  Washington  Ter- 
ritory, etc.). 

This  well  known  bird  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  it  arrives  usually  about  the  25th  of  April.  The  males 
precede  the  females  in  their  arrival  by  some  three  or  four  days. 
These  birds  generally,  I  think,  migrate  singly ;  I  have  never  observed 
them  in  the  spring  in  small  flocks.  During  the  month  of  February 
and  until  the  20th  of  March,  1885,  I  saw  no  Kingbirds  in  various 
localities  along  the  St.  John's  river,  Florida,  but  from  the  20th  of 
March  and  until  quite  late  in  April  these  birds  (in  that  State  called 
Field  Martins)  were  oftentimes  met  with. 

The  technical  name  tyrannus  given  to  the  subject  of  this  present 
sketch  is  particularly  appropriate,  as  this  bird  during  the  breeding 
season  is  ever  on  the  alert,  and  seemingly  anxious  to  attack  his  feath- 
ered neighbors.  Whenever  a  hawk  or  crow  is  observed  flying,  even 
at  a  considerable  distance,  this  little  warrior  immediately  starts  in 
pursuit,  and  by  his  rapid  flight  speedily  overtakes  the  object  of  hi& 
wrath  and  uttering  almost  continually  his  sharp  and  rapid  twitter,  is 
seen  to  mount  above  his  adversary  and  make  repeated  and  violent 
assaults  on  the  head  of  his  flying  victim,  who,  frequently,  to  escape 
further  persecution  makes  a  precipitate  letreat  to  a  tree,  bushes  or 
the  ground. 


of  natural  size 


Plate  24. 


.  Male;    2    Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  147 

The  nest,  a  rather  bulky  and  loosely  made  structure,  is  composed 
of  grasses,  weeds,  roots,  etc.,  and  is  built  generally  on  the  limb  of  an 
apple  or  pear  tree  in  an  orchard;  sometimes,  however,  nests  are 
placed  in  oak  and  other  trees.  It  is  built  by  the  joint  labor  of  both 
birds,  who  complete  this  work  in  about  five  days.  The  eggs,  usually 
four  or  five  in  number,  are  creamy-white  spotted  conspicuously  with 
different  shades  of  brown  and  indistinct  spots  of  bluish-gray.  The 
eggs  vary  greatly  in  size ;  a  large  one  measures  an  inch  in  length  and 
f  of  an  inch  in  width.  The  period  of  incubation  is  about  fourteen 
days.  From  his  favorite  perch  either  on  a  stake,  the  top  of  a  tree 
or  a  high  weed  in  the  field,  the  Kingbird  watches  for  his  insect 
prey;  at  other  times  he  is  observed  flying  over  a  field  in  a  man- 
ner similar  to  that  of  the  Sparrow  Hawk,  watching  for  grasshoppers, 
crickets  or  other  insects.  As  Wilson  observes,  he  sometimes  hovers 
over  a  river  or  pond,  darting  after  insects  that  frequent  such  places, 
snatching  them  from  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  diving  about  in  the 
air  like  a  swallow.  Some  few  years  ago  I  saw  a  Kingbird  dart  down 
to  the  water  in  a  shallow  pond  and  fly  off  with  a  shining  object  in  his 
bill,  that  at  the  time  I  thought  appeared  like  a  small  fish,  but  never 
having  seen  or  heard  of  this  species  feeding  on  fishes,  but  little  notice 
was  taken  of  the  bird,  which  flew  to  a  tree  some  two  hundred  yards 
distant.  From  an  article  published  in  the  Forest  and  Stream,  Sep- 
tember 2, 1882,  and  written  by  Milton  P.  Peirce,  it  appears  that  King- 
birds sometimes  feed  on  fishes.  Mr.  Peirce  writes  :  "  These  birds  are 
very  abundant  about  my  premises,  nesting  in  some  cases  within  a  few 
feet  of  my  residence  *  *  *  I  have  often  noticed  them  striking 
the  surface  of  the  water  in  my  fish  ponds,  but  supposed  they  were 
either  taking  a  bath  or  else  catching  insects  which  were  flying  near 
the  surface  of  the  water.  When  I  constructed  my  bass  pond,  a  few 
years  ago,  I  stocked  it  with  minnows  to  afford  ample  food  for  the  bass. 
At  times  the  entire  surface  of  the  pond  seems  alive  with  them.  A 
few  days  ago  I  observed  at  least  a  half  dozen  Kingbirds  perched  on 
trees  and  bushes,  near  the  margin  of  the  pond,  and  almost  every 
moment  some  of  them  would  dive  into  the  water  precisely  like  a 
Kingfisher,  and  I  concluded  they  were  catching  bugs  or  other  insects, 
which  were  floating  upon  the  surface  of  the  water.  Watching  them 
closely,  I  soon  saw  one  of  them  leave  the  water  with  something  pre- 
ceptibly  shining  in  its  bill.  It  alighted  on  a  tree  about  fifty  yards 
from  where  I  was  sitting,  and  acted  precisely  as  a  Kingfisher  does 
when  killing  a  fish.  Taking  a  telescope,  I  also  took  an  observation 
and  discovered  that  the  Kingbird  had  a  minnow  not  less  than  three 
inches  long.  I  continued  my  observations  for  about  fifteen  minutes, 
and  during  that  time  these  birds  caught  several  small  minnows  and 
ate  them."  Notwithstanding  the  benefits  which  this  bird  confers,  de- 


148  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

stroying.  as  Dr.  Cones  remarks,  a  thousand  noxious  insects  for  every 
bee  it  eats,  many  farmers  and  others  who  keep  honey-bees,  are  ever 
ready  to  slay  every  Kingbird  which  visits  their  premises.  Although 
it  is  believed  by  some  that  these  birds  take  only  drone  bees,  such  is 
not  the  case,  as  I  have  found  both  drone  and  working-bees  in  their 
stomachs;  Mr.  Gentry  also  in  speaking  of  the  bee-eating  habit  states 
that  the  Kingbird  is  no  respecter  of  kinds.  Nuttall  writing  of  this 
bird  says :  As  insects  approach  him,  or  as  he  darts  after  them,  the 
snapping  of  his  bills  is  heard,  like  the  shutting  of  a  watch-case,  and  is 
the  certain  grave  of  his  prey.  Beetles,  grasshoppers,  crickets  and 
winged  insects  of  all  descriptions  form  his  principal  summer  food ;  at 
times  canker  worms  from  the  elm  are  also  collected.  Towards  autumn, 
as  various  kinds  of  berries  ripen,  these  constitute  a  very  considerable 
and  favorite  part  of  his  subsistence ;  but  with  the  exception  of  currants 
(of  which  he  only  eats  perhaps  when  confined),  he  refuses  all  exotic 
productions,  contenting  himself  with  blackberries,  whortleberries,  those 
of  the  sassafras,  elder  and  poke.  The  same  writer  further  says :  "Raisins, 
foreign  currants,  grapes,  cherries,  peaches,  pears  and  apples  were 
never  even  tasted,  when  offered  to  a  bird  of  this  kind,  which  I  had 
many  months  as  my  pensioner  ;  of  the  last  when  roasted,  sometimes, 
however,  a  few  mouthfuls  were  relished,  in  the  absence  of  other 
more  agreeable  diet.  Berries  he  always  swallowed  whole,  grasshop- 
pers, if  too  large,  were  pounded  and  broken  on  the  floor,  as  he  held 
them  in  his  bill.  To  manage  the  larger  beetles  was  not  so  easy ;  these 
he  struck  repeatedly  against  the  ground  and  then  turned  them  from 
side  to  side,  by  throwing  them  dexterously  into  the  air,  and  the  insect 
was  uniformly  caught  reversed  as  it  descended,  with  the  agility  of  a 
practiced  cup-and-ball  player.  At  length  the  pieces  of  the  beetle 
were  swallowed,  and  he  remained  still  to  digest  his  morsel,  tasting  it 
distinctly  soon  after  it  entered  the  stomach,  as  became  obvious  by  the 
ruminating  motion  of  his  mandibles.  When  the  soluble  portion  was 
taken  up,  large  pellets  of  the  indigestible  legs,  wings  and  shells,  as 
likewise  the  skins  and  seeds  of  berries,  were,  in  half  an  hour  or  less, 
brought  up  and  ejected  from  the  mouth  in  the  manner  of  Hawks  and 
Owls.  When  other  food  failed,  he  appeared  very  well  satisfied  with 
fresh  minced  meat,  and  drank  water  frequently,  even  during  the 
severe  frosts  of  January.  *  *  *  Some,  very  cold  evenings  he  had 
the  sagacity  to  retire  under  the  shelter  of  a  depending  bed-quilt." 
The  few  examinations  which  I  have  made  are  given  in  the  following 
table  : 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


149 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May     5,  1880,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Diptera  and  beetles. 

2 

June    9,  1880,    . 

New  Gas  tie  county,  Del., 

Two  honey-bees. 

3 

June    9,  1880,    . 

New  Castle  county,  Del  , 

Stomach  gorged  with  honey-bees. 

4 

June  13,  1880,    . 

New  Castle  county,  Del  , 

One  honey-bee. 

5 

June  14,  1880,    . 

New  Castle  county,  Del  , 

Beetles  and  two  honey-bees. 

6 

Mav   21,  1884,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

7 
8 

June  11,  1884,    . 
June  13,  1884,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
New  Castle,  Del.,    .   . 

Diptera  and  raspberry  seeds. 
Beetles  and  dipterous  insects. 

9 

June  13,  1884,    . 

New  Castle,  Del.,    .   . 

Beetles  and  larvae. 

10 

Aug.  10,  1881,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Seeds  of  berries. 

11 

July    5,  1885,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Various  insects. 

12 

Aug.  11,  1885,    . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Colorado  potato  beetle  and  seeds. 

GENUS  MYIARCHTJS.    CABANIS. 


452.  Myiarchus  crinitus  (LiNN.). 


Crested  Flycatcher. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length,  about  8§  inches  ;  extent,  about  13$  inches  ;  head  with  a  depressed  crest; 
upper  parts  dull  greenish-olive,  with  the  feathers  of  the  crown,  and  to  some  extent 
of  the  back,  showing  their  brown  centres  ;  upper  tail  coverts  turning  to  pale  rusty- 
brown  ;  small  feathers  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  sides  of  the  head  as  high  as  the  upper 
eyelid,  sides  of  the  neck,  throat,  and  forepart  of  the  breast,  bluish-ashy  ;  the  rest  of 
the  lower  parts,  including  axillaries  and  lower  wing  coverts,  bright  sulphur-yellow  ; 
a  pale  ring  round  the  eyes :  sides  of  the  breast  and  body  tinged  with  olivaceous  ;  the 
the  wings  brown,  the  first  and  second  rows  of  coverts,  with  the  secondary  and  tertial 
quills,  margined  externally  with  dull-white,  or  on  the  latter  slightly  tinged  with 
olivaceous-yellow ;  primaries  margined  externally  for  more  than  half  their  length 
from  the  base  with  ferruginous,  great  portion  of  the  inner  webs  of  all  the  quills  very 
pale-ferruginous ;  the  two  middle  tail  feathers  light  brown,  shafts  paler,  the  rest 
have  the  outer  web  and  a  narrow  line  on  the  inner  sides  of  the  shaft  brown,  pale 
olivaceous  on  the  outer  edge,  the  remainder  ferruginous  to  the  very  tip  ;  outer  web 
of  exterior  feather  dull  brownish-yellow  ;  feet  black  ;  bill  dark-brown  above  and  at 
the  tip  below,  paler  towards  the  base  ;  iris  brown. 

Hab.— Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to  the  Plains,  south 
through  eastern  Mexico  to  Costa  Rica. 

The  Crested  Flycatcher,  although  probably  not  as  abundant  as  the 
preceding  species,  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  Pennsylvania.  I 
have  seen  these  birds  in  the  southern  portions  of  this  State  as  early 
as  the  23d  of  April,  usually,  however,  they  arrive  about  the  first  of 
May.  and  remain  until  late  in  September,  when  they  migrate  south- 
ward and  winter  it  is  stated  beyond  the  southern  borders  of  the  United 
States.  Although  this  species  sometimes  nests  in  orchards  and  other 
places  near  houses,  it  is  chiefly  found  in  wooded  districts.  Unlike  all 
other  of  our  Flycatchers,  these  birds  build  their  nests  in  holes  of  trees, 
and  occasionally  in  hollow  fence  rails  or  posts.  I  have  examined  nine 
nests  of  the  Crested  Flycatcher,  which  were  found  in  Chester  county, 
and  in  six  of  this  number  discovered  the  remains  of  cast  off  skins  of 


150 


BIEDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


snakes.  The  eggs,*  usually  five,  are  of  a  creamy  brown  ground  color 
with  numerous  dark  brownish  blotches  or  spots  and  lines,  the  latter 
generally  of  a  purplish  tint  appear  as  if  traced  with  a  pen.  The  nest 
of  this  bird  is  constructed  of  various  materials,  such  as  feathers,  hay, 
leaves,  etc.  Mr.  Gentry  some  few  years  ago  found  a  nest  of  this 
species,  near  Germantown,  which  was  placed  between  the  bifurcated 
branch  of  an  apple  tree.  "  It  was  composed  almost  entirely  of  feathers 
of  our  common  Gallus,  which  were  held  together  by  long  grasses." 
The  note  of  this  bird  is  a  harsh  squeak  or  kind  of  whistle,  exceedingly 
unpleasant  to  the  ear,  and  which  can  be  heard  to  a  considerable  dis- 
tance. The  food  of  this  species  is  mainly  of  an  insectivorous  nature ; 
in  the  late  summej  and  autumn  different  kinds  of  berries  are  often- 
times fed  upon.  Some  writers  state  that  the  Crested  Flycatchers  like 
the  Kingbirds,  are  equally  fond  of  honey-bees.  Mr.  Gentry  says : 
"  From  the  vast  numbers  of  ground-beetles,  which  have  been  noticed 
in  the  numerous  stomachs  which  we  have  examined,  it  is  obvious  that 
the  species  leads  almost  wholly  a  terrestrial  existence  for  a  week  or 
so  after  its  arrival.  As  the  season  advances,  and  the  higher  types  of 
insects  swarm  into  existence,  it  becomes  more  exclusively  arboreal, 
and  aerial,  so  to  speak.  We  have  watched  these  birds  for  hours,  while 
perched  upon  a  dead  branch  of  a  tree,  in  the  active  enjoyment  of  pro- 
curing a  full  meal.  Their  movements  are  perfectly  ludicrous.  There 
they  sit,  bobbing  the  head  this  way  and  then  that  way,  now  up  and 
then  down,  ever  on  the  alert  for  caitiffs,  which  form  their  appropriate 
diet.  Hosts  of  lepidoptera,  both  larvae  and  imagoes,  are  greedily  de- 
voured." 

In  the  following  table  will  be  found  the  results  of  the  few  examina- 
tions which  I  have  made  of  the  Crested  Flycatcher : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 

May  17,  1880,     . 
May  17,  1880,     . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Large  flies. 
Beetles. 

3 

May  30,  1881,      . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  flies. 

4 

May  14,  1882,     . 

Chester  county,  Pa..  .    . 

Beetles  arid  larvae. 

5 

June  8,  1883,      . 

New  Castle,  Delaware, 

Larvae. 

G 

June  8,  1883,     . 

New  Castle,  Delaware, 

Butterflies. 

7 

June  8,  1883,     . 

New  Castle,  Delaware, 

Beetles. 

8 

Sept.  12,  1883,      . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Berries  and  beetles. 

9 

Aug.  7,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Seeds  and  pulp  of  berries. 

"The  eggs  measure  about  .86  long  by  .65  wide. 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA.  151 


GENUS  SAYORNIS.     BONAPARTB. 
456.  Sayornis  phoebe  (LATH.). 

Phoebe;  Pewee. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Sides  of  breast  and  upper  parts  dull  olive-brown,  fading  slightly  toward  the  tail; 
top  and  sides  of  head  dark-brown  ;  a  few  dull-white  feathers  on  the  eyelids ;  lower 
parts  dull  yellowish-white,  mixed  with  brown  on  the  chin,  and  in  some  individuals 
across  the  breast ;  quills  brown,  the  outer  primary,  secondaries,  and  tertials  edged 
with  dull  white ;  in  some  individuals  the  greater  coverts  faintly  edged  with  dull- 
white  ;  tail  brown,  outer  edge  of  lateral  feather  dull-white,  outer  edges  of  the  rest 
like  the  back  ;  tibise  brown  ;  bill  and  feet  black  ;  bill  slender,  edges  nearly  straight ; 
tail  rather  broad,  and  slightly  forked,  third  quill  longest,  second  and  fourth  nearly 
equal,  the  first  shorter  than  sixth. 

In  autumn,  and  occasionally  in  early  spring,  the  colors  are  much  clearer  and 
brighter.  Whole  lower  parts  sometimes  bright  sulphur-yellow,  above  greenish-olive, 
top  and  sides  of  the  head  tinged  with  sooty  ;  in  tho  young  01  the  year,  the  colors  are 
much  duller  ;  all  the  wing  coverts  broadly  tipped  with  light-ferruginous,  as  also  the 
extreme  ends  of  the  wings  and  tail  feathers ;  the  brown  is  prevalent  on  the  whole 
throat  and  breast ;  the  hind  part  of  the  back,  rump,  and  tail,  strongly  ferruginous. 
Length  about  7  inches  ;  extent  about  11  inches. 

Hab. — Eastern  North  America,  from  the  British  Provinces  south  to  Eastern  Mex- 
ico and  Cuba,  wintering  from  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States  southward. 

The  Phoebe  bird  or  Pewee,  so  named  from  its  note,  is  one  of  our 
earliest  spring  migrants  ;  it  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  mostly  about  the 
middle  of  March,  and  continues  in  this  region  until  about  the  15th  of 
October.  A  few  individuals  sometimes  linger  as  late  as  the  first  of 
November.  In  the  early  part  of  February,  1883, 1  saw  Mr.  0.  D.  Wood, 
of  Philadelphia,  skinning  a  Pewee  which  had  been  shot  on  the  22d  of 
January,  1883,  at  Spring  City^  Chester  county,  Pa, 

In  Cecil  county,  Maryland,  and  the  southern  portion,  of  Delaware,  I 
have  on  different  occasions  seen  these  birds  as  late  as  the  25th  of  No- 
vember. During  the  lattsr  part  of  February,  1885,  when  camping  at 
Drayton  Island,  in  Lake  George,  Florida,  I  obtained  five  of  these  Fly- 
catchers, and  found  that  all  had  fed  chiefly  on  Palmetto  berries.  The 
nest  is  generally  built  under  a  bridge  or  shelving  rocks ;  oftentimes, 
however,  this  species  is  found  breeding  about  barns  and  other  build 
ings.  Although  the  Pewee  seldom  breeds  in  the  woods,  it  occasionally 
builds  its  nests  against  the  dirt-covered  roots  of  trees  which  have  been 
blown  over ;  I  have  twice  found  their  nests,  in  forests,  placed  in  these 
situations.  Both  sexes  engage  in  building  their  nest,  which  is  completed 
in  about  six  days.  The  materials  used  in  its  construction  are  mosees, 
grasses,  fine  roots,  mud,  feathers,  etc.  The  eggs,  usually  five  in  num- 
ber, are  pure  white  and  unspotted,  sometimes,  however,  they  are 
faintly  spotted  with  reddish  brown.  They  measure  about  .80  of  an 
inch  in  length,  and  .55  of  an  inch  in  width.  Incubation,  which  is  en- 
gaged in  only  by  the  female,  lasts  for  a  period  of  about  twelve  days. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


During  the  late  summer,  autumn  and  winter,  I  have  noticed  that 
these  birds,  in  addition  to  various  insects,  feed  to  a  considerable  extent 
on  different  kinds  of  fruits,  such  as  those  of  the  raspberry,  blackberryr 
poke,  wild- grape  and  cedar.  The  young  of  this  species  are  fed  exclu- 
sively on  insects. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIAL. 

1 

Mar.     31,  1880, 

NewCastle  county,  Del., 

Beetles. 

2 

Mar.     31,  1880, 

New  Castle  county,  Del.  , 

Purple  colored  insects  (diptera). 

3 
4 

Mar.     31,  1880, 
Sept.    11,  1880, 

New  Castle  county,  Del., 
East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Various  insects  (principally  diptera> 
Flies  and  remains  of  beetles. 

5 

Oct.        2,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Beetles  and  small  flies. 

6 

Oct.        4,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Flies  and  small  berries. 

7 

Oct.        6,  1880, 

Willistown,  Pa.,  .... 

Flies  and  beetles.* 

8 

Oct.        6,  1880, 

Willistown,  Pa.,  .   .   .   . 

Small  worms  and  remains  of  bee- 

tles.* 

9 

Oct.        6,  1880,  . 

Willistown,  Pa.,  .... 

Grasshoppers  and  flies.* 

10 

Oct        6,  1880,  . 

Willistown,  Pa.,  .    .   .    . 

Several  large  yellow  wasp-like  in- 

sects.* 

11 

Oct.        6,  1880,  . 

Willistown,  Pa.,  .... 

Numerous  flies.* 

12 

Oct        7,  1880,  . 

Willistown,  Pa.,  .... 

Large  wasp-like  insect* 

13 

Oct.        7,  1880.  . 

Willistown,  Pa.,  .... 

Large  wasp-like  insect* 

14 

Sept.    30,  1882,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles,  grasshoppers  and  crickets. 

15 

Sept    30,  1882,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  flies. 

16 

Sept    30,  1882,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Grasshoppers  and  few  beetles. 

GENUS  CONTOPUS.  OABANIS. 
461.  Contopus  virens  (LINN.). 

Wood  Pewee. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Feet  black  ;  iris  brown  ;  the  upper  parts,  sides  of  the  head,  neck  and  breast,  dark 
oblivaceous-brown,  the  latter  rather  paler,  the  head  darker ;  a  narrow  white  ring 
round  the  eye ;  the  lower  parts  pale-yellowish,  deepest  on  the  abdomen  ;  across  the 
breast  tinged  with  ash  ;  this  pale  ash  sometimes  occupies  the  whole  of  the  breast, 
and  even  occasionally  extends  up  to  the  chin  ;  it  is  also  sometimes  glossed  with 
oblivaceous  ;  the  wings  and  tail  dark  brown,  generally  deeper  than  in  &  phoebe  : 
two  narrow  bands  across  the  wing,  the  outer  edge  of  first  primary  and  of  the  second, 
aries  and  tertials  dull-white ;  the  edges  of  the  tail  feathers  like  the  back,  the  outer 
one  scarcely  lighter ;  upper  mandible  black,  the  lower  yellow,  but  brown  at  the  tip. 
Length  about  6.25  ;  extent  about  10  inches. 

Hab.— Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  and  from  southern  Canada  south, 
ward. 

The  Wood  Pewee,  a  common  summer  resident,  arrives  in  Pennsyl- 
vania early  in  May  and  continues  with  us  until  about  September  20th. 
This  bird  is  found  commonly  in  forests  or  the  shady  retreats  of  apple 
orchards.  During  the  breeding  season,  particularly,  the  Wood  Pewee 
when  perched  on  the  dead  branches  of  trees,  watching  for  his  insect 
prey,  utters  a  peculiar  plaintive  drawling  note — "pe-d-wee,  d-pee-wee!  " 
— which  once  heard  is  rarely  forgotten.  A  writer  has  very  properly 

*Taken  in  the  morning's  feeding  near  a  small  pond. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  153 

said  that  these  notes  in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  are  almost  the 
only  ones  heard  in  the  woods.  The  thin-bottomed,  thick-walled  and 
somewhat  saucer-shaped  nest,  built  usually  on  a  thick,  horizontal  tree 
limb,  is  composed,  internally,  of  grass  stems,  fine  fibres  of  roots  or 
other  soft  substances,  and  covered  externally  with  lichens,  which  are 
held  in  place  by  cobwebs  or  "  glued  to  the  other  materials  by  the  bird's 
saliva."  The  eggs,  four  or  five  in  number,  are  yellowish -white,  with 
reddish -brown  and  lilac  spots,  generally  in  a  ring  about  the  larger  end. 
They  measure  about  .75  of  inch  in  length,  and  a  little  over  .50  of  an 
inch  in  width.  I  have  never  found  Wood  Pewees  feeding  on  small 
fruits,  but  have  always  observed  that  they  feed  exclusively  on  insects. 
Audubon,  however,  states  during  the  winter  months  he  has  observed 
these  birds  in  Florida,  Louisiana  and  other  of  the  Southern  States, 
feeding  on  "  different  berries,  as  well  as  insects." 


No. 

1 
2 
3 
4 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

May  19,  1880,  . 
Sept.  22,  1880,  . 
Sept.  25,  1880,  . 
May  25,  1884,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa..  .  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.^  .  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  .  . 

Beetles  and  flies. 
Flies. 
Beetles. 
Butterfly. 

GENUS  EMPIDONAX.     OABANIS. 
463.  Empidonax  flaviventris.     BAIRD. 

Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Above  olive-green  (very  similar  to  the  back  of  Vireo  noveboracensis)  ;  crown 
rather  darker  ;  a  broad  yellow  ring  around  the  eye  ;  the  sides  of  the  head,  breast  and 
body,  and  a  band  across  the  breast  like  the  back,  but  lighter  ;  the  rest  of  the  lower 
parts  bright  sulphur  yellow  ;  no  white  or  ashy  anywhere  on  the  body  ;  quills  dark 
brown ;  two  bands  on  the  wing  formed  by  tips  of  the  primary  and  secondary 
coverts,  the  outer  edge  of  the  first  primary  and  of  the  secondaries  and  tertials  pale 
yellow,  or  greenish  yellow.  Tail  feathers  brown,  with  the  exterior  edges  like  the 
back  ;  upper  mandible  dark  brown  ;  lower  mandible  yellow  ;  legs  and  feet  black  ; 
iris  brown.  In  the  autumn  the  colors  are  purer,  the  yellow  is  deeper,  and  the  mark- 
ings on  the  wings  of  an  ochry  tint. 

Dimensions  of  a  female  :    Length,  5|  inches  ;  extent,  8§  ;  wing,  2|  inches. 

Hab. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  and  from  southern  Labrador  south 
through  eastern  Mexico  to  Panama,  breeding  from  the  northern  States  northward. 

The  Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher,  according  to  my  observation,  is 
found  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  as  a  rather  rare  spring  and  autumnal 
visitant.  It  arrives,  in  this  locality,  from  its  southern  winter  resorts 
about  the  last  of  April,  and  after  remaining  a  few  days,  frequenting 
chiefly  wooded  districts,  passes  northward  to  breed.  This  Flycatcher, 
about  the  20th  of  September,  as:ain  makes  its  appearance  in  our 


1M-  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

woods,  and  remains  until,  occasionally,  as  late  as  the  first  of  October. 
The  note  as  described  by  Dr.  Coues  is  a  low  softpe-a,  uttered  slowly. 
The  Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher  is  usually  seen  perched  on  the  low 
limbs  of  trees  or  bushes,  along  the  borders  of  streams  or  ponds  in  the 
woods.  I  have  never  observed  it  on  the  high  branches  of  trees.  Ac- 
cording to  Mr.  Gentry  it  is  occasionally  observed  on  the  ground,  in 
active  pursuit  of  insects,  which  contribute  to  its  bill-of-fare.  In  the 
few  examinations  which  I  have  made  of  this  species  the  following 
insects  were  found  : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

2 
3 
4 

Sept.  22,  1880,  . 
Sept.  24,  1880,  . 
Sept.  25,  1880,  . 
Sept.  30,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .   .   . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,     .   .   . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,     .   .    . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,     ... 

Beetles. 
Small  flies. 
Beettes  and  flies. 
Grasshopper. 

465.  Empidonax  acadicus  (GMEL.). 

Acadian  Flycatcher. 

DESCRIPTION. 

The  upper  parts,  with  sides  of  the  head  and  neck,  olive-green,  the  crown  very  little 
if  any  darker  ;  a  yellowish-white  ring  around  the  eye  ;  the  sides  of  the  body  under 
the  wings  like  the  back,  but  fainter  olive,  a  tinge  of  the  same  across  the  breast ;  the 
chin,  throat,  and  middle  of  the  belly  white ;  the  abdomen,  lower  tail  and  wing  cov- 
erts, and  sides  of  the  body  not  covered  by  the  wings,  pale  greenish-yellow ;  edges 
of  the  first  primary,  secondaries,  and  tertials  margined  with  dull  yellowish- white, 
most  broadly  on  the  latter  ;  two  transverse  bands  of  pale-yellowish  across  the  wings, 
formed  by  the  tips  of  the  secondary  and  primary  coverts,  succeeded  by  a  brown  one ; 
tail  light-brown,  margined  externally  like  the  back ;  upper  mandible  light-brown 
above,  pale-yellow  beneath.  In  autumn  the  lower  parts  are  more  yellow;  iris 
brown. 

Length  about  6  inches ;  extent  about  9  inches. 

Ha b.— Eastern  United  States,  chiefly  southward,  west  to  the  plains,  south  to  Cuba 
and  Costa  Rica. 

For  a  period  of  about  five  months,  or  from  early  in  May  until  late 
in  September,  the  Acadian  Flycatcher  is  a  common  resident  in  Penn- 
sylvania, frequenting  chiefly  woodlands.  This  species  is  somewhat 
shy  and  difficult  to  approach,  and  like  the  Cuckoo  or  Yellow-breasted 
Chat,  is  oftener  heard  than  seen.  The  shallow,  saucer- shaped  and 
loosely-made  nest,  is  placed  usually  on  a  drooping  and  forked  branch 
of  a  tree  in  the  forest,  a  dog- wood,  beech  or  hickory  generally  being 
selected.  It  is  composed  of  blossoms,  grasses,  fine  rootlets  or  fine 
pieces  of  bark.  The  majority  of  nests  which  I  have  found  in  the 
vicinity  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  were  built  entirely  of  blossoms.  The 
nests  xare  rarely  more  than  eight  or  ten  feet  from  the  ground,  and  are 
so  open  at  the  bottom  that  the,  eggs  can  readily  be  seen  from  below. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


155 


The  eggs,  usually  four  in  number,  are  very  similar  in  size,  etc.,  to  those 
of  the  Wood  Pewee — they  are  creamy-white,  spotted  with  reddish- 
brown.  During  the  late  summer  and  autumn  months  this  species 
subsists  to  a  limited  extent  on  various  kinds  of  berries. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 
2 

s 

Mav    10,  1879, 
June  11,  1880, 
June  20  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   . 
Chester  county,  Pa., 
Chester  county,  Pa., 

•   • 

Beetles. 
Large  flies  and  larvse. 
Various  insects 

4 
5 
6 

7 

Aug.  20,  1882, 
Aug.  30,  1882, 
Sept  20,  1882, 
May    20,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  .  . 
Chester  county,  Pa,,  .  . 

.   . 

Berries. 
Beetles  and  flies. 
Insects. 
Beetles. 

466a.  Empidonax  pusillus  traillii  (AuD.). 

Traills'  Flycatcher. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Upper  parts  dark  olive-green,  lighter  under  the  wings,  and  duller  and  more  tinged 
with  ash  on  nape  and  sides  of  the  neck  ;  center  of  the  crown  feathers  brown  ;  a  pale 
yellowish-white  ring  (in  some  specimens  altogether  white)  round  the  eye ;  loral 
feathers  mixed  with  white ;  chin  and  throat  white ;  the  breast  and  sides  of  throat 
light-ash  tinged  with  olive,  its  intensity  varying  in  individuals,  the  former  some- 
times faintly  tinged  with  olive ;  sides  of  the  breast  much  like  the  back  ;  middle  of 
the  belly  nearly  white  ;  sides  of  the  belly,  abdomen,  and  the  lower  tail  coverts  sul- 
phur-yellow ;  the  quills  and  tail-feathers  dark-brown,  as  dark  (if  not  more  so)  as 
these  parts  in  C.  virens ;  two  olivaceous  yellow-white  bands  on  the  wing,  formed  by 
the  tips  of  the  first  and  second  coverts,  succeeded  by  a  brown  one,  the  edge  of  the 
first  primary  and  of  secondaries  and  tertials  a  little  lighter  shade  of  the  same  ;  the 
outer  edge  of  the  tail  feathers  like  the  back,  that  of  the  lateral  one  rather  lighter ; 
bill  above  dark-brown,  dull-brownish  beneath  ;  iris  brown. 
'Length  nearly  G  inches  ;  extent  about  8.75  inches. 

Hab. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from  the  Middle  States  (southern  Illinois 
and  Missouri)  northward  ;  in  winter  south  to  Central  America. 

Traills'  Flycatcher,  a  somewhat  suspicious  frequenter  of  thickets, 
near  streams  or  ponds.  I  have  found  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  a  rare 
spring  and  autumnal  migrant.  In  the  spring  it  arrives  generally  early 
in  May;  when  returning  to  its  winter  resorts  beyond  the  southern 
limits  of  the  United  States,  it  is  again  seen,  but  only  for  a  few  days, 
about  the  twentieth  of  September.  In  addition  to  insects,  this  spe- 
cies, it  is  stated,  feeds  also  on  different  kinds  of  berries. 


467.  Empidonax  minimus  BAIRD. 

Least  Flycatcher. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Above  olive-brown  darker  on  the  head,  becoming  paler  on  the  rump  and  upper 
tail  covets  ;  the  middle  of  the  back  most  strongly  olivaceous  ;  the  nape  (in  some  in- 
dividuals) and  sides  of  the  head  tinged  with  ash  ;  a  ring  round  the  eye,  and  some  of 
the  loral  feathers  white,  the  chin  and  throat  white  ;  the  sides  of  the  throat  and  across 


156  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

the  breast  dull-ash,  the  color  on  the  latter  sometimes  nearly  obsolete  ;  sides  of  the 
breast  similar  to  the  back,  but  of  a  lighter  tint ;  middle  of  the  belly  very  pale  yel- 
lowish-white, turning  to  pale  sulphur-yellow  on  the  sides  of  the  belly,  abdomen,  and 
lower  tail  coverts  ;  wings  brown  two  narrow  white  bands  on  wing,  formed  by  the 
tips  of  the  first  and  second  coverts,  succeeded  by  one  of  brown  ;  the  edge  of  the  first 
primary,  and  of  the  secondaries  and  tertials,  white  ;  tail  rather  lighter  brown,  edged 
externally  like  the  back  feathers  narrow,  not  acuminate,  with  the  ends  rather  blunt. 
In  autumn,  the  white  parts  are  strongly  tinted  with  yellow. 

Length  about  b\  inches  ;  extent  about  8  inches. 

Hab.—  Eastern  North  America,  south  in  winter  to  Central  America.  Breeds  from 
the  Northern  States  northward. 

From  personal  observation  I  am  unable  to  give  any  information  of 
this  species.  The  following  remarks  relative  to  it  are  taken  from  Mr. 
Gentry's  interesting  account  in  Life  Histories  of  Birds. 

This  Flycatcher  is  rather  rare  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  arriving 
during  the  last  week  of  April,  and  occasionally,  as  late  as  the  first 
week  of  May.  Its  stay  is  rarely,  if  ever,  prolonged  beyond  a  week. 
At  the  expiration  of  this  time,  it  seeks  more  northern  latitudes,  for 
the  purposes  of  breeding.  Unlike  the  species  last  described,  it  is  far 
from  being  unnecessarily  shy,  and  seemingly  courts  rather  than  shuns 
the  society  of  man.  It  delights  in  open  grounds,  and  will  not  hesi- 
tate to  visit  gardens  in  close  proximity  to  houses,  when  in  quest  of 
food.  The  borders  of  small  streams  are  also  favorite  resorting  places. 
During  its  short  stay,  we  have  never  noticed  the  slightest  indication 
of  the  quarrelsome  disposition  which  is  so  strikingly  characteristic  of 
acadicus  and  in  a  less  degree,  of  trallii.  When  foraging,  our  smaller 
species  are  permitted  to  approach  without  the  least  fear  of  being  mo- 
lested. Its  habits  of  feeding,  in  some  particulars,  resemble  those  of 
trallii-  It  will  perch  upon  a  dead  limb  overhanging  a  stream  of  wa- 
ter, or  in  an  open  field  or  garden  upon  a  weed  or  the  fence,  and  awaits 
its  prey  with  the  most  commendable  patience.  Its  feeding  is  per- 
formed almost  in  silence,  being  now  and  then  interrupted  by  a  simple 
twit.  The  food  consists  mainly  of  beetles  and  diptera. 

SUBORDER  OSCINES.     SONG  BIRDS. 

FAMILY  ALAUDIDJE.     LARKS. 
GENUS  OTOCORIS.     BONAPAKTE. 
474.  Octocoris  alpestris     (LiNN.). 

Horned  Lark. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Above  grayish-brown  or  pinkish-brown,  the  feathers  of  the  back  streaked  with 
dusky.  A  broad  band  across  the  crown,  extending  backwards  along  the  lateral 
tufts ;  a  crescentic  patch  from  the  bill  below  the  eye  and  along  the  side  of  the  head ; 
a  jugular  crescent,  and  the  tail  feathers,  (except  middle  pair  which  are  reddish 
brown)  black.  A  frontal  band  extending  over  the  eye,  ana  under  parts,  with  outer 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  25. 


is/      n 
V^tte  Jfov. 
ts    * 

l.  Male;  2  and  3.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  157 

edge  of  wings  and  tail  white.  Chin  and  throat  yellow  ;  more  or  less  yellow  on  sides 
of  head,  and  line  over  eye  in  some  specimens  yellowish.  Bill  arid  feet  dark ;  iris 
brown.  Length  about  7k  inches;  extent  about  13^  inches.  Female  rather  smaller. 
Hab. — North-eastern  North  America,  Greenland,  and  northern  parts  of  the  Old 
World  ;  in  winter  south  in  the  eastern  United  States  to  the  Carolinas,  Illinois,  etc, 

The  Horned  Lark  is  a  somewhat  common  winter  resident  in  eastern 
Pennsylvania,  It  arrives  in  this  region,  from  its  northern  breeding 
grounds  early  in  November,  and  remains  until  about  the  last  week  in 
February.  These  birds  during  their  residence  with  us,  are  usually  found 
in  small  parties  of  twelve  or  twenty,  occasionally,  however,  flocks  of  a 
hundred  or  more  are  seen.  The  Horned  Larks  frequent  fields,  or  other 
similar  open  situations,  where  seeds  of  different  weeds  and  grasses  are 
procurable.  When  deep  snows  cover  their  favorite  feeding  grounds, 
they  oftentimes  are  observed  in  public  roads,  throughout  the  country 
districts,  searching  for  food  ;  they  also  at  times  when  driven  by  hun- 
ger visit  barnyards. 

According  to  Nuttall  their  food  consists  of  various  kinds  of  seeds 
which  remain  on  the  grass  and  weeds,  and  the  eggs  and  dormant 
larvae  of  insects,  when  they  fall  in  their  way.  In  the  stomachs  of 
thirteen  of  these  birds,  taken  in  Chester  and  Delaware  counties  (Pa.), 
I  found  that  eleven  had  fed  on  different  kinds  of  small  seeds;  two.  in 
addition  to  small  seeds  had  fed  on  grain  (particles  of  corn  and  oats). 


FAMILY  CORVTD.ffi.     CROWS  AND  JAYS. 

SUBFAMILY  GARRULIN^E.    JAYS. 
GENUS  CYANOCITTA.     STRICKLAND. 
477  Cyanocitta  cristata.     (Lrau.). 

Blue  Jay. 

DESCRIPTION.     {Plate  25.) 

Crest  about  one-third  longer  than  the  bill  ;  tail  much  graduated  ;  general  color 
above,  light  purplish-blue  ;  wings  and  tail  feathers  ultramarine-blue  ;  the  second- 
aries and  tertials,  the  greater  wing  coverts,  and  the  exposed  'surface  of  the  tail, 
sharply  banded  with  black,  and  broadly  tipped  with  white,  except  on  the  central 
tail  feathers  ;  beneath  white  :  tinged  with  purplish-blue  on  the  throat,  and  with 
bluish-brown  on  the  sides  :  a  black  crescent  on  the  forepart  of  the  breast,  the  horns 
passing  for\vard  and  connecting  with  a  half-collar  on  the  back  of  the  neck  ;  a  narrow 
frontal  line  and  loral  region  black  ;  leathers  on  the  base  of  the  bill  blue,  like  the 
crown.  Female  rather  duller  in  color,  and  a  little  smaller  ;  iris,  brown.  Bill,  legs 
and  feet  black.  Length  about  12  inches  ;  extent  about  16|  inches. 

Ha!,.  —Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains,  and  from  the  fur  countries  south  to 
Florida  and  eastern  Texas. 

The  Blue  Jay  is  found  in  Pennsylvania,  during  all  seasons  of  the 
year,  but  in  the  autumn  and  summer  months,  this  species  is  much 
more  plentiful  than  at  other  periods.  This  beautiful  bird  is  an  inhab 


158  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

itant  chiefly  of  forests.  During  the  breeding  season  the  Jays  associate 
in  pairs,  but  in  the  late  summer  and  autumn  it  is  not  unusual  to  find 
them  in  small  flocks.  I  have  seen,  on  several  occasions,  as  many  as 
twenty-five  of  these  birds  feeding  in  beech,  chestnut  or  cedar  trees. 
Both  sexes  engage  in  nest-building,  which,  in  this  latitude,  is  begun 
about  the  20th  of  April.  A  nest  which  I  saw  the  birds  building,  was 
completed  in  five  days.  The  nest,  a  strong  bulky  structure,  composed 
chiefly  of  twigs  and  fine  roots,  is  placed  commonly  in  a  tree  in  the 
woods ;  sometimes,  though  rarely,  in  this  locality,  nests  are  built  in 
low  bushes.  The  eggs  four  to  six  in  number,  mostly  five,  are  greenish 
or  brownish-gray,  spotted  with  brown.  Length  about  1.15  inches, 
width  .84  of  an  inch.  In  Florida,  the  Blue  Jay*  nests  some  five  or  six 
weeks  earlier  than  in  this  latitude,  at  least  I  suppose  this  to  be  the 
case,  as  I  have  seen  these  birds  collecting  sticks,  etc.,  as  early  as  the 
first  week  in  March.  The  Blue  Jay  and  also  the  "Scrub  Jay"  (Aphe- 
locoma  floridana) ,  are  in  bad  repute  among  the  Florida  farmers,  from 
the  fact  that  they  (particularly  the  "Scrub  Jay")  suck  the  eggs  of 
chickens. 

Audubon  writing  of  the  Blue  Jay  says : 

"  It  robs  every  nest  it  can  find,  sucks  the  eggs  like  the  Crow,  or  tears 
to  pieces  and  devours  the  young  birds.  A  friend  once  wounded  a 
Grouse  (Bonasa  umbellus),  and  marked  the  direction  which  it  fol- 
lowed, but  had  not  proceeded  two  hundred  yards  in  pursuit,  when  he 
heard  something  fluttering  in  the  bushes,  and  found  his  bird  belabored 
by  two  Blue  Jays,  who  were  picking  out  its  eyes.  The  same  person 
once  put  a  Flying  Squirrel  into  the  cage  of  one  of  these  birds,  merely 
to  preserve  it  for  one  night ;  but  on  looking  into  the  cage  about  eleven 
o'clock  next  day,  he  found  the  mammal  partly  eaten.  A  Blue  Jay  at 
Charleston  destroyed  all  the  birds  of  an  aviary.  One  after  another 
had  been  killed,  and  the  rats  were  supposed  to  have  been  the  culprits, 
but  no  crevice  could  be  seen  large  enough  to  admit  one.  Then  the 
mice  were  accused,  and  war  was  waged  against  them,  but  still  the 
birds  continued  to  be  killed ;  first  the  smaller,  then  the  larger,  until 
at  length  the  Keywest  Pigeons ;  when  it  was  discovered  that  a  Jay 
which  had  been  raised  in  the  aviary  was  the  depredator.  He  was 
taken  out,  and  placed  in  a  cage,  with  a  quantity  of  corn,  flour  and 
several  small  birds  which  he  had  just  killed.  The  birds  he  soon  de- 
voured, but  the  flour  he  would  not  condescend  to  eat,  and  refusing 
every  other  kind  of  food,  soon  died.  In  the  north,  it  is  fond  of  ripe 
chestnuts,  and  in  visiting  the  trees  is  sure  to  select  the  choicest. 
When  these  fail,  it  attacks  the  beech  nuts,  acorns,  peas,  apples  and 
green  corn.  In  Louisiana,  they  are  so  abundant  as  to  prove  a  nuisance 

*  The  Florida  Blue  Jay,  a  local  race  technically  styled  Cyanocitta  cristata  florincola,  is  smaller 
and  has  less  white  on  tips  of  secondary  and  tail  feathers  than  C.  cristata. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  159 

to  the  farmers,  picking  the  newly  planted  corn,  the  peas,  and  the 
sweet  potatoes,  attacking  every  fruit  tree,  and  even  destroying  the 
eggs  of  pigeons  and  domestic  fowls.  The  planters  are  in  the  habit  of 
occasionally  soaking  some  corn  in  a  solution  of  arsenic,  and  scattering 
the  seeds  over  the  ground,  in  consequence  of  which  many  Jays  are 
found  dead  about  the  fields  and  gardens.  The  Thrush,  the  Mocking 
Bird  and  many  others,  although  inferior  in  strength,  never  allow  him 
to  approach  their  nest  with  impunity  ;  and  the  Jay,  to  be  even  with 
them,  creeps  silently  to  it  in  their  absence,  and  devours  their  eggs 
and  young  whenever  he  finds  an  opportunity.  I  have  seen  one  go  its 
round  from  one  nest  to  another  every  day,  and  suck  the  newly-laid 
eggs  of  the  different  birds  in  the  neighborhood,  with  as  much  regular- 
ity and  composure  as  a  physician  would  call  on  his  patients.  Mr. 
Gentry  says :  "  The  Jay  possesses  one  trait  which  detracts  largely 
from  its  general  good  character.  It  has  a  propensity  to  destroy  the 
eggs  and  young  of  small  birds.  The  good  which  it  accomplishes  in 
the  destruction  of  insects,  outweighs  tenfold  the  mischief  which  it 
commits,  and  should  encourage  us  to  desist  our  persecutions,  and  ac- 
cord to  it  a  most  generous  welcome.  The  depredations  which  it  com- 
mits upon  the  garden  or  the  farm,  are  too  trivial  to  mention."  To 
give  our  readers  some  idea  of  the  good  which  this  species  has  accom- 
plished in  some  portions  of  the  country,  we  cannot  do  better  than  to 
give  substantially  Dr.  Kirtland's  estimate  of  its  character  as  given  by 
Dr.  Brewer  in  North  American  Birds.  "  When  he  first  settled  upon 
his  farm,  he  observed  that  every  wild  cherry  and  apple  was  well  nigh 
denuded  of  its  leaves,  by  the  larvae  of  Clisiocampa  americana.  The 
evil  was  so  widespread  that  all  efforts  to  counteract  it  seemed  utter 
hopelessness.  "  At  this  crisis  the  Jays  made  their  appearance,  and 
established  colonies.  The  tent-caterpillar  constituted  a  ready  diet  for 
their  young,  and  was  preyed  upon  so  extensively,  that  in  two  or  three 
years  afterwards,  not  an  individual  was  to  been  seen  in  the  vicinage." 
—  Gentry. 

In  reference  to  the  food  of  this  species,  Mr.  E.  A.  Samuels*  writes 
as  follows :  u  Its  food  is  more  varied  than  that  of  almost  any  other 
bird  that  we  have.  In  winter,  the  berries  of  the  cedar,  barberry  or 
black- thorn,  with  the  few  eggs  or  cocoons  of  insects  that  it  is  able  to 
find,  constitute  its  chief  sustenance.  In  early  spring,  the  opening 
buds  of  shrubs,  caterpillars,  and  other  insects,  afford  it  a  meagre  diet. 
Later  in  the  spring,  and  through  the  greater  part  of  summer,  the  eggs 
and  young  of  the  smaller  birds  constitute  its  chief  food,  varied  by  a 
few  insects  and  early  berries.  Later  in  the  summer,  and  in  early 
autumn,  berries,  small  fruits,  grains,  and  a  few  insects,  afford  it  a 
bountiful  provender ;  and  later  in  the  autumn,  when  the  frosts  have 

*  Our  Northern  and  Eastern  Birds,  p.  365. 


160 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


burst  open  the  burrs  of  chestnuts  and  beechnuts,  and  exposed  the 
brown,  ripe  fruit  to  view,  these  form  a  palatable  and  acceptable  food, 
and  a  large  share  of  these  delicious  nuts  fall  to  the  portion  of  these 
busy  and  garrulous  birds." 

The  food  materials  of  Jays  which  I  have  examined  are  given  in  the 
following  table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

October,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Acorns. 

2 

October,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Acorns. 

3 

October,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Acorns. 

4 

October,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Acorns. 

5 

October,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Acorns. 

6 

May   10,  1880, 

New  Castle,  Delaware, 

Beetles  and  sand. 

7 

May   10,  1880, 

New  Castle,  Delaware, 

Corn. 

8 

June  11,  1880, 

New  Castle,  Delaware, 

Beetles  and  berries. 

9 

Sept.  28,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Indian  corn  and  beetles. 

10 

Sept.  21,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Indian  corn  and  acorns. 

11 

Sept.  21,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa  ,  .    . 

Indian  corn  and  acorns. 

12 

May  25,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Vegetable  matter,  not  determined. 

13 

May  25,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Black  colored  beetles  and  sand. 

14 

May  25,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Green  colored  beetles 

15 

May  25,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Black  colored  beetles,  sand  and  small 

shells. 

16 

May  25,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

'  June  bugs"  and  few  other  insects. 

17 

May  25,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

'June  bugs"  and  few  other  insects. 

18 

May  25,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

'June  bugs." 

19 

May  25,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

'June  bugs." 

20 

May  25,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

'June  bugs." 

21 

May  12,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles. 

22 

May   12,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles. 

23 

May     8,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Chiefly  Indian  corn,  few  beetles. 

SUBFAMILY  CORVINE.    CROWS. 
GENUS  CORVUS.     LINNAEUS. 


488.  Corvus  americanus,  AUD.. 


American  Crow. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Bill,  legs  and  feet  black ;  iris  brown ;  plumage  glossy  black  with  violet  reflec- 
tions, brightest  on  wing-coverts,  tail  and  back  ;  top  of  head  frequently  without  me- 
tallic tint— young  usually  dull  black.  The  male  is  larger  than  the  female,  and  meas- 
ures about  19  inches  in  length  and  38  inches  in  extent. 

Hab. — North  America  from  the  fur  countries  to  Mexico. 

The  Crow,  readily  recognized  by  its  large  size  and  glossy  black 
plumage,  is  a  common  resident  in  Pennsylvania  during  all  months  of 
the  year.  This  species  ranges  throughout  different  portions  of  North 
America,  but  is  found  chiefly  in  the  eastern  United  States.  In  this 
locality  the  Crow  commences  nest-building  in  the  latter  part  of  April; 
both  sexes  engage  in  this  work  which  is  completed  in  from  three  to 
five  days.  The  nest,  a  very  bulky  structure,  measuring  about  20  inches 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  161 

in  diameter  and  10  inches  in  depth,  is  made  up  of  sticks,  twigs,  bark, 
leaves,  etc.  It  is  built  usually  in  an  oak,  chestnut  or  other  tree,  in  an 
unfrequented  woods;  nests  are  sometimes  placed  in  low  trees  or 
bushes  in  cedar  thickets.  The  eggs  vary  greatly  in  size  and  color; 
four  to  six  in  number;  length  about  1.65  by  1.19  inches  in  width; 
light-greenish,  spotted-brown  and  black  with  purplish  tints.  The 
note  of  this  well-known  bird  is  a  loud,  harsh  caw.  During  the  early- 
spring,  fall  and  winter  months  this  specks  is  gregarious  ;  flocks  num- 
bering from  fifty  to  several  hundred  individuals  are  frequently  ob- 
served scattered  over  the  fields,  meadows,  along  the  highways,  or  in 
the  woods  searching  for  food.  At  night  these  birds  resort  in  great 
numbers  to  favorite  roosting-places,  such  as  pine  forests  or  cedar 
thickets.  In  the  late  spring  and  summer  Crows  are  particularly  de- 
structive to  young  poultry,  the  eggs  and  young  of  small  birds,  and 
frequently  nests  of  the  domestic  fowls,  especially  Guineas  and  Tur- 
keys that  often  wander  to  a  considerable  distance  from  the  farm  house 
to  lay,  are  also  pillaged.  These  birds,  as  every  farmer  is  well  aware, 
•commit  more  or  less  mischief  in  the  cornfields. 

Although  the  crow  will  rob  the  nest  of  any  small  bird  which  he  can 
get  at,  the  nests  of  the  Robin,  Wood  Thrush,  Catbird  and  Dove  are 
the  ones  I  have  usually  seen  disturbed.  The  injury  which  the  Crow 
occasions  by  his  egg-sucking,  bird -devouring  habit,  is,  it  is  affirmed 
by  eminent  authorities,  more  than  compensated  for  by  the  large  num- 
bers of  noxious  insects  and  mammals  which  he  devours.  Twelve  of 
these  birds  taken  in  winter  and  examined  by  me  had  in  their  stom- 
achs only  vegetable  materials,  viz :  Corn,  oats,  acorns,  small  seeds 
.and  berries.  From  such  limited  investigations  I  am  unable  to  say 
whether  the  crow  is  a  friend  or  an  enemy  to  the  farmer. 

A udubon,  writing  of  the  food-habits  of  this  species,  says: 

'*  The  crow  devours  myriads  oi  grubs  every  day  of  the  year,  that 
might  lay  waste  the  farmers1  fields  ;  it  destroys  quadrupeds  innumer- 
able, every  one  of  which  is  an  enemy  to  his  poultry  and  his  flocks. 
Why  then  should  the  farmer  be  so  ungrateful,  when  he  sees  such  ser- 
vices rendered  to  him  by  a  providential  friend,  as  to  persecute  that 
friend  even  to  death  ? 

"  Omniverous  like  the  raven,  the  crow  feeds  on  fruits,  seeds  and  vege- 
tables of  almost  every  kind ;  it  is  equally  fond  of  snakes,  frogs,  liz- 
ards and  other  small  reptiles  ;  it  looks  upon  various  species  of  worms, 
grubs  and  insects  as  dainties,  and  if  hard  pressed  by  hunger,  it  will 
alight  upon  and  devour  even  putrid  carrion.  It  is  as  fond  of  the  eggs 
of  other  birds  as  is  the  Cuckoo,  and,  like  the  Titmouse,  it  will,  during  a 
paroxysm  of  anger,  break  in  the  skull  of  a  weak  or  wounded  bird. 
*  *  *  The  most  remarkable  feat  of  the  Crow  is  the  nicety  with 
which  it,  like  the  Jay,  pierces  an  egg  with  its  bill  in  order  to  carry  it 
11  BIRDS. 


162  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

off  and  eat  it  with  security.  In  this  manner  I  have  seen  it  steal,  one 
after  another,  all  the  eggs  of  a  Wild  Turkey's  nest.  You  will  percieve,. 
reader,  that  I  endeavor  to  speak  of  the  Crow  with  all  due  impartial- 
ity, not  wishing  by  any  means  to  conceal  its  faults,  nor  withholding 
my  testimony  to  its  merits,  which  are  such  as  I  can  well  assure  the 
farmer,  that  were  it  not  for  its  race,  thousands  of  corn-stalks  would 
every  year  fall  prostrate  in  consequence  of  being  cut  over  close  to  the 
ground  by  the  destructive  grubs  which  are  called  cut- worms." 


490.  Corvus  ossifragus     WILSON. 

Fish  Crow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Smaller  than  C.  americanus.  Glossy  black  with  green  and  violet  reflections ;  the 
gloss  of  head,  neck  and  belly  greenish ;  a  small  space  at  base  of  lower  mandible,  on 
each  side  bare  ?  ;  bill  and  feet  black ;  iris  brown.  Length,  14  to  16  inches  ;  extent, 
about  32  inches. 

Hab. — Atlantic  coast,  from  Long  Island  to  Florida. 

The  Fish  Crow  is  a  common  and  abundant  resident,  during  all  sea 
sons,  about  the  maritime  districts  of  most  and  probably  all  of  the 
Southern  States.  According  to  Audubon  they  migrate  northward  in 
April  and  ascend  the  Delaware  river  in  Pennsylvania,  nearly  to  its 
source,  but  return  to  the  south  at  the  approach  of  cold  weather.  Mr. 
J.  Hoopes  Matlack,  informs  me  that  some  few  years  ago,  he  found  a 
nest  and  eggs  of  this  bird  along  the  Brandywine  creek,  some  two  or 
three  miles  from  the  borough  of  West  Chester.  Mr.  Gentry  writing 
in  1877,  says  he  has  observed  it  during  the  past  five  or  six  years  nest- 
ing along  the  water  courses  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia.  This 
bird,  like  the  preceding  species,  builds  in  trees.  The  nests  and  eggs  of 
the  Fish  Crow,  although  smaller,  cannot  with  absolute  certainty  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  the  American  Crow.  The  voice  of  the 
Fish  Crow,  according  to  Wilson,  is  very  different  from  that  of  the 
Common  Crow,  being  more  hoarse  and  gutteral,  uttered  as  if  some- 
thing ha4  lodged  in  the  throat.  The  common  note  of  this  bird, 
Audubon  says,  resembles  the  syllables  ha,  ha  hae,  frequently  re- 
peated. In  referring  to  the  food  of  this  species,  Audubon  writes  sub- 
stantially as  follows :  While  searching  for  food,  these  birds  hover  at 
a  moderate  height  over  the  water ;  but  when  they  rise  in  the  air,  to 
amuse  themselves,  they  often  reach  a  great  elevation.  Like  the  Com- 
mon Crow,  the  Fish  Crow  robs  other  birds  of  their  eggs  and  young.  I 
have  observed  this  particularly  on  the  Florida  Keys,  where  they 
plundered  the  nests  of  Cormorants  and  White  Ibises.  They  also  prey 
upon  the  fiddler-crab,  which  they  pursue  and  dig  out  of  the  muddy 
burrows  into  which  they  retire  at  the  approach  of  danger.  Small  fry 
are  easily  secured  with  their  claws  as  they  fly  close  over  the  water's 


natural  size 


Plate  26. 


i.  Male;    2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  163 

surface,  from  which  they  also  pick  up  any  sort  of  garbage  suited  to 
their  appetite  ;  sometimes  they  pursue  and  attack  the  small  terns  and 
gulls,  to  force  them  to  disgorge  the  small  fish  that  they  have  captured. 
They  are  able  to  capture  live  fish  with  considerable  dexterity,  but  can- 
not feed  on  the  wing;  occasionally  these  birds  alight  on  the  backs  of 
cattle,  to  search  there  for  the  larvae  which  frequently  harbor  in  their 
skin.  During  the  winter  and  spring,  the  Fish  Crows  are  very  fond  of 
feeding  on  many  kinds  of  berries.  As  spring  advances,  and  the  early 
fruits  ripen  the  Fish  Crows  become  fond  of  the  mulberry,  and  select 
the  choicest  of  the  ripe  figs,  more  especially  when  they  are  feeding 
their  young.  A  dozen  are  often  seen  at  a  time,  searching  for  the  tree 
which  has  the  best  figs,  and  so  troublesome  do  they  become  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  Charleston,  that  it  is  found  necessary  to  station  a 
man  near  a  fig  tree  with  a  gun.  They  also  eat  pears,  as  well  as  vari- 
ous kinds  of  huckleberries. 


FAMILY  ICTERID^.     BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

GENUS  DOLICHONYX.     SWAINSON. 
494.  Dolichonyx  oryzivorus     (LixN.). 

Bobolink.     Reed  Bird. 

DESCRIPTION.  {Plate  26  male  and  female  in  Spring). 

Bill  short,  stout,  conical  and  much  shorter  than  head  ;  tail  feathers  sharp-pointed 
and  stiff,  quite  like  a  woodpecker's ;  claws  all  very  large  ;  middle  toe  very  long, 
measuring  with  claw  1.25  inches;  bill  dark,  lighter  at  base  of  lower  mandible; 
legs  and  feet  (freshly  killed  specimens)  brownish-yellow ;  iris  brown.  General  color 
of  male  in  spring  and  during  breeding  season  (June  and  July)  black  ;  some  of  the 
black  feathers  are  usually  more  or  less  edged  with  yellowish  ;  the  nape  brownish- 
cream  color  ;  a  patch  on  the  side  of  the  breast,  the  scapulars  and  rump  white,  shading 
into  light  ash  on  the  upper  tail  covers  and  the  back  below  the  interscapular  region 
the  outer  primaries  sharply  margined  with  yellowish-white,  the  tertials  less  abruptly; 
the  tail  feathers  margined  at  the  tips  with  pale  brownish  ash.  In  autumn  similar  to 
the  female.  In  the  early  autumn  males  are  often  seen  with  black  feathers  (some- 
times though  seldom  in  patches)  on  the  breast. 

Female,  yellowish  beneath ;  two  stripes  on  the  top  of  the  head,  and  the  upper 
parts  throughout,  except  the  back  of  the  neck  and  rump,  and  includingall  the  wing 
feathers  generally,  dark -brown,  all  edged  with  brownish-yellow  ;  ^vhich  becomes 
whiter  nearer  the  tips  of  the  quills  ;  the  sides  sparsely  streaked  with  dark -brown, 
and  a  similar  stripe  behind  the  eye  ;  there  is  a  superciliary  and  a  median  band  of 
yellow  on  the  head. 

Length  of  male  about  7.25  inches  ;  extent  about  12.25  inches.  Female  averages  a 
little  smaller. 

Hob. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  Great  Plains;  north  to  southern  Canada; 
south  in  winter,  to  the  West  Indies  and  South  America.  Breeds  from  the  Middle 
States  northward,  and  winters  south  of  the  United  States. 

Bobolinks  are  known  by  a  variety  of  common  names.  The  terms 
"Bobolink"  and  "Meadow  Wink"  are  applied  in  imitation  of  its  voice ; 


164  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

the  appellation  "Skunk-blackbird"  notes,  as  Dr.  Coues  remarks,  the 
resemblance  in  color  to  the  obnoxious  quadruped.  When  the  Bobo- 
link has  shed  his  showy  dress  of  black,  white  and  yellow,  he  frequents 
chiefly  the  reedy  marshes  of  tide-rivers,  and  is  known  as  "Reed-bird;" 
in  the  Oarolinas,  Georgia  and  elsewhere  in  the  South,  they  congre-. 
gate  in  great  numbers  on  the  rice-fields,  where  they  are  called  "Rice- 
birds."  In  the  West  Indies,  these  birds,  from  their  excessive  fatness, 
are  known  as  "Butterbirds."  "The  name  'Ortolan',  applied  by  some 
gunners  and  restaurateurs  to  this  bird,  as  well  as  to  the  Carolina  Rail 
(Porzana  Carolina)  is  in  either  case  a  strange  misnomer,  the  Ortolan 
being  a  fringilline  bird  of  Europe,  Emberiza  hortulana,  Linn." — Coues. 
Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  Reed-bird  is  much  larger  than  the 
English  sparrow,  many  game  dealers  are  in  the  habit  of  "bunching" 
the  two  species  and  disposing  of  them  as  "Reed -birds."  The  Reed- 
bird,  however,  can  easily  be  recognized  by  the  pointed  tail  feathers, 
long  legs  and  claws ;  the  tail  feathers  of  the  sparrow  are  not  pointed, 
and  the  legs  and  claws  are  short.  Even  when  both  birds  are  picked 
and  their  legs  and  heads  cut  off,  the  Reed-bird  can  mostly  be  distin- 
guished by  its  plump,  yellow  and  oily  body ;  the  carcase  of  a  fat 
sparrow  is  never  uniformely  yellow,  but  is  dark  colored,  with  narrow 
streaks  of  yellow.  The  Bobolinks  arrive  in  Pennsylvania,  in  flocks  of 
from  eight  to  twenty-five  individuals,  from  May  5  to  20.  The  males 
generally  make  their  appearance,  about  the  fields,  meadows  and  or- 
chards, several  days  in  advance  of  the  females ;  they  also  appear  to 
proceed  much  more  leisurely,  on  their  vernal  migrations,  than  the  fe- 
males. Both  sexes  migrate  chiefly  at  night  when  their  "mellow  metallic 
chink"  may  be  heard  both  in  spring  and  fall.  The  song  of  the  Bobolink, 
is  a  peculiar,  rapid  jingling,  indescribable  medley  of  sounds,  started  first 
by  one  bird,  quickly  followed  by  another,  and  another,  until  the  whole 
flock  are  engaged,  when  suddenly,  without  any  apparent  reason,  they 
all  at  the  same  instance  stop  their  vocal  concert.  When  the  male  as- 
sumes the  livery  of  the  female,  he  appears  to  loose  his  vocal  powers, 
and  is  only  heard  to  utter  a  sharp  clinking  note,  like  that  of  the  female. 
These  birds,  according  to  my  experience,  occur  in  eastern  and  southern 
Pennsylvania  mainly  as  passing  visitants,*  during  the  spring  and  fall, 
when  they  ye  common.  Mr.  Edward  Ricksecker,  of  Nazareth,  Pa., 
however,  informs  me  that  the  Bobolink  breeds  in  Northampton  county, 
of  this  State.  The  nests  and  eggs  are  described  by  Dr.  Coues  as  follows : 
"The  Bobolink  makes  a  rude  and  flimsy  nest  of  dried  grass  on  the 
ground,  and  lays  four  or  five  eggs,  0  85  long  by  about  0.63  broad,  dull 
bluish-white,  sometimes  brownish-white,  spotted  and  blotched  with 
dark  chocolate  or  blackish- brown  surface  marks,  and  others  of  paler  hue 

*Nests  of  this  species,  it  is  said,  have  on  one  or  two  occasions  been  found  in  Chester  county 
and  young  unable  to  fly  have  once  been  taken  in  Delaware  county,  Pa. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  165 

in  the  shell.  The  nests  are  cunningly  hidden,  and  often  further 
screened  from  threatened  observation  by  ingenious  devices  of  the 
parents."  From,  Birds  of  North  west.  The  food  of  these  birds,  during 
their  spring  sojourn  in  Pennsylvania  is  composed  chiefly  of  different 
kinds  of  terrestrial  insects,  also  the  seeds  of  various  weeds,  grasses,  etc. 
I  have  examined  the  stomach  contents  of  twenty-seven  Bobolinks 
(captured  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  May,  1879-80-82  and  83),  and  found 
that  eighteen  had  fed  exclusively  on  beetles,  larvae,  ants  and  a  few 
earth-worms ;  five,  in  addition  to  insects  and  larvae,  showed  small  seeds, 
and  particles  of  green  vegetable  materials,  apparently  leaves  of  plants ; 
the  four  remaining  birds  revealed  only  small  black  and  yellow  col- 
ored seeds.  After  the  breeding  season,  the  Reed-birds  (both  sexes), 
about  the  middle  of  August,  again  make  their  appearance  in  our 
meadows  and  grain  fields.  At  this  time,  although  various  forms  of  in- 
sects are  abundant,  they  subsist  almost  entirely  on  a  vegetable  diet. 
They  visit  the  corn  fields,  and  in  company  with  the  English  Sparrow, 
prey  to  a  more  or  less  extent  on  the  corn ;  like  the  Sparrow  they  tear 
open  the  tops  of  the  husk  and  eat  the  milky  grain.  Fields  of  Hunga- 
rian grass  are  resorted  to  and  the  seed  eagerly  devoured.  The  differ- 
ent seeds  of  weeds  and  grasses  which  grow  so  luxuriantly  in  the 
marshy  swamps  and  meadows  are  likewise  fed  upon  with  avidity. 

The  following  interesting  remarks,  relative  to  the  Ricebirds,  are 
taken  from  the  annual  report  of  the  Agricultural  Department,  for  the 
year  1886,  by  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam,  ornithologist,  United  States  De- 
partment of  Agriculture  Washington.  D.  C. 

"One  of  the  most  important  industries  of  the  Southern  States,  the 
cultivation  of  rice,  is  crippled  and  made  precarious  by  the  bi-annual 
attacks  of  birds.  Many  kinds  of  birds  feed  upon  rice,  but  the  bird 
which  does  more  injury  than  all  the  rest  is  the  Bobolink  (Dolichonyx 
oryzivorus).  *  *  *  The  name  of  "Ricebird"  is  familiar  to  most 
persons  in  the  north,  but  the  magnitude  of  its  depredations  is  hardly 
known  outside  of  the  narrow  belt  of  rice  fields  along  the  coasts  of  a 
few  of  the  Southern  States.  Innumerable  hosts  of  these  birds  visit 
the  fields  at  the  time  of  planting  in  spring,  devouring  the  seed-grain 
before  the  fields  are  flooded,  and  again  at  harvest-time  in  the  fall, 
when  if  maturing  grain  is  4n  the  milk,'  they  feed  upon  it  to  a  ruinous 
extent.  "To  prevent  total  destruction  of  the  crop  during  the  periods 
of  bird  invasion,  thousands  of  men  and  boys,  called  'bird- minders,' 
are  employed,  hundreds  of  thousands  of  pounds  of  gunpowder  are 
burned,  and  millions  of  birds  are  killed.  Still  the  number  of  birds  in- 
vading the  rice  fields  each  year  seems  in  no  way  diminished,  and  the 
aggregate  annual  loss  they  occasion  is  about  $2,000,000. 


166  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Extracts  from  a  letter  from  Capt.  William  Miles  Hazzard,  of  Annan- 
dale,  S.  C.,  one  of  the  largest  ricegrowers  in  the  State. 

"The  Bobolinks  make  their  appearance  here  during  the  latter  part 
of  April.  At  that  season  their  plumage  is  white  and  black,  and  they 
sing  merrily  when  at  rest.  Their  flight  is  always  at  night.  In  the  eve- 
ning there  are  none.  In  the  morning  their  appearance  is  heralded  by 
the  popping  of  whips  and  firing  of  musketry  by  the  bird-minders  in 
their  efforts  to  keep  the  birds  from  pulling  up  the  young  rice.  This 
warfare  is  kept  up  incessantly  until  about  the  25th  of  May,  when  they 
suddenly  disappear  at  night.  Their  next  appearance  is  in  a  dark-yel- 
low plumage,  as  the  Ricebird.  There  is  no  song  at  this  time,  but  in- 
stead a  chirp,  which  means  ruin  to  any  rice  found  in  milk.  My  plan- 
tation record  will  show  that  for  the  past  ten  years,  except  when  pre- 
vented by  stormy  south  or  south-west  winds,  the  Ricebirds  have  come 
punctually  on  the  night  of  the  2ist  of  August,  apparently  coming  from 
seaward.  All  night  their  chirp  can  be  heard  passing  over  our  sum- 
mer homes  on  South  Island,  which  island  is  situated  six  miles  to  the 
east  of  our  rice  plantations,  in  full  viewr  of  the  ocean.  Curious  to  say, 
we  have  never  seen  this  flight  during  the  day.  During  the  nights  of 
August  21,  22,  23  and  24,  millions  of  these  birds  make  their  appear- 
ance and  settle  in  the  rice  fields.  From  the  21st  of  August  to  the  25th 
of  September  our  every  effort  is  to  save  the  crop.  Men,  boys,  and 
women  are  posted  with  guns  and  ammunition  to  every  four  or  five 
acres,  and  shoot  daily  an  average  of  about  one  quart  of  powder  to  the 
gun.  This  firing  commences  at  first  dawn  of  day  and  is  kept  up  until 
sunset.  After  all  this  expense  and  trouble  our  loss  of  rice  per  acre 
seldom  falls  under  five  bushels,  and  if  from  any  cause  there  is  a  check 
to  the  crop  during  the  growth,  which  prevents  the  grain  from  being 
hard,  but  in  milky  condition,  the  destruction  of  such  fields  is  complete, 
it  not  paying  to  cut  and  bring  the  rice  out  of  the  field.  We  have  tried 
every  plan  to  keep  these  pests  off  our  crops  at  less  expense  and  man- 
ual labor  than  we  now  incur,  but  have  been  unsuccessful.  Our  pres- 
ent mode  is  expensive,  imperfect,  and  thoroughly  unsatisfactory,  yet 
it  is  the  best  we  can  do.  I  consider  these  birds  as  destructive  to  rice 
as  the  catapillar  is  to  cotton,  with  this  difference,  that  these  Ricebirds 
never  fail  to  come.  If  the  Government  could  devise  some  means  to 
aid  us  in  keeping  off  these  birds  it  would  render  us  great  assistance. 
The  loss  by  birds  and  the  expense  of  minding  them  off  in  order  to 
make  anything  renders  the  cultivation  of  rice  a  dangerous  speculation. 
During  the  bird  season  we  employ  about  one  hundred  bird-minders, 
who  shoot  from  three  to  five  kegs  of  powder  daily,  of  twenty-five 
pounds  each  ;  add  to  this  shot  and  caps,  and  you  will  have  some  idea 
what  these  birds  costs  one  planter." 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  167 

GENUS  MOLOTHRUS.     SWAINSON. 
495.  Molothrus  ater  (BODD.). 

Cowbird;  Cow  Bunting;  Cow  Blackbird. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill,  short,  stout,  about  two-thirds  as  long  as  head  ;  tail  nearly  even  or  very  slightly 
rounded ;  bill  and  feet  black ;  iris  brown  ;  male  with  the  head,  neck  and  anterior 
half  of  breast  deep  brown,  with  slight  purplish  gioss ;  rest  of  body  lustrous  black, 
with  a  violet  purple  gloss,  next  to  the  brown,  of  steel  blue  on  the  back,  and  of  green 
elsewhere.  Female:  Plain  grayish-brown,  lighter  on  the  under  parts.  Young:  Dull 
dusky-brown  above,  feathers  edged  Avith  grayish,  lower  parts  light  brownish  gray 
more  or  less  streaked  or  spotted  with  darker  markings.  In  the  late  summer  and 
early  autumn  the  young  male  can  often  be  distinguished  by  the  conspicuous  black 
patches  on  the  body.  The  female  is  smaller  than  the  male.  An  adult  male  measures 
about  8  inches  in  length  and  13^  inches  in  extent. 

Hab.—  United  States,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  north  into  southern  British 
America,  south,  in  winter,  into  Mexico. 

This  well  known  bird  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. It  arrives  here  late  in  March  or  early  in  April,  and  migrates 
southward  about  the  middle  of  October.  These  polygamous  birds,  at 
all  times,  are  gregarious.  In  the  autumn  these  birds,  frequently  in 
company  with  the  Crow  Blackbirds  and  Robins,  collect  in  large  flocks 
in  thickets,  where  they  roost  during  the  night.  When  "  coming  in  "  to 
these  roosting  places  the  flocks  of  Cowbirds  do  not  scatter  and  alight 
in  the  surrounding  trees  and  bushes,  as  the  Crow  Blackbirds  are 
accustomed  to  do.  but  they  fly  in  a  compact  body  directly  to  the 
thick  bushy  covert,  where  they  remain,  and  unless  disturbed  are  sel- 
dom heard  to  utter  their  harsh,  rattling  chuckle.  The  Cowbird  builds 
no  nest,  nor  does  she  attempt -to  rear  her  young;  when  desirous  of 
laying,  she  quietly  slips  away  from  her  companions,  and  finding  a 
nest  deposits  her  egg,  and  flies  off  to  join  her  comrades  feeding  in  the 
fields,  or  perhaps  assembled  in  a  treetop.  Although  the  Cowbird 
generally  selects  the  nests  of  small  birds,  she  never  gains  access  to 
the  same  by  force,  but  pays  her  visit  when  the  owners  are  absent. 
Sometimes  birds  whose  homes  have  been  invaded  by  these  feathered 
parasites  abandon  their  nests,  mostly,  however  (particularly  if  one  or 
more  of  their  own  eggs  have  been  deposited),  they  submit  to  the 
imposition  and  rear  the  young  Cowbirds.  The  Yellow  Warbler,  occa- 
sionally, will  build  a  new  nest  about  that  in  which  the  unwelcome 
-egg  is  deposited.  I  have  twice  found  broken  eggs  of  Cowbirds  on  the 
ground  near  nests  of  the  Yellow-breasted  Chat,  and  on  three  occasions 
have  discovered  the  shattered  remains  of  these  eggs  directly  beneath 
the  pendant  nests  of  Baltimore  Orioles.  It  may  be  that  these  two 
species,  sometimes  at  least,  toss  out  the  alien  eggs.  While  it  is  mostly 
observed  that  the  Cowbird  lays  in  the  nests  of  birds  much  smaller 


168  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

than  herself,  she  also,  at  times,  drops  eggs  in  nests  of  larger  species^ 
Dr.  Coues  mentions  among  the  Cowbird's  larger  foster-parents,  the 
Wood  Thrush,  Yellow-breasted  Chat,  Kingbird  and  Towhee  Bunting; 
on  one  occasion  I  saw  two  eggs  in  the  nest  of  a  Cardinal  Grosbeak, 
and  have  twice  seen  eggs  in  nests  of  Wood  Thrushes.  Both  nests  of 
the  species  last  named  were,  however,  abandoned.  From  the  fact 
that  one  Cowbird's  egg  is  usually  seen  in  a  nest,  I  judge  that  this  bird 
only  deposits  a  single  egg  in  a  nest.  I,  of  course,  am  well  aware  that 
sometimes  two,  three  or  more  Cowbird  eggs  may  be  discovered  in  a 
single  nest,  yet  this  is  no  evidence  that  these  eggs  were  deposited  by 
one  bird.  The  number  of  eggs  which  this  bird  lays  is  unknown  ;  they 
are  white,  speckled  or  blotched  with  brown  *  vary  greatly  in  size,  but 
average,  probably,  about  .88  in  length  and  .65  in  width.  In  addition 
to  the  species  previously  named,  I  have  found  Cowbirds'  eggs  or 
young  in  charge  of  the  following  named  birds  :  Red  and  White  Eyed 
Vireos,  Ovenbird,  Maryland  Yellow-throat,  Scarlet  Tanager,  Song 
and  Chipping  Sparrows,  Indigobird,  Worm-eating  Warbler,  Acadian 
Flycatcher  and  Baltimore  Oriole.  This  species  frequents  ploughed 
fields,  woods  and  pasture  grounds,  mingles  freely  among  cattle  and 
may  often  be  observed  perched  on  their  backs.  The  food  of  these 
birds  consists  of  seeds,  grains,  berries  and  insects.  Although  Cow- 
birds  subsist  to  a  small  extent  on  wheat  and  rye,  they  never,  I 
think,  like  the  English  Sparrow,  attack  these  cereals  when  growing. 
The  seeds  of  clover,  timothy,  fox-tailed  grass,  bitter-weed,  etc.,  are 
included  in  their  bill  of  fare ;  blackberries,  huckleberries,  cedar- 
berries,  wild  cherries  and  the  summer  grape  (  Vitis  cestivalis,  Mz.,) 
are  eaten.  They  subsist  to  a  very  great  extent,  however,  on  insects; 
large  numbers  of  grasshoppers,  beetles,  grubs  and  " worms''  are 
eagerly  devoured. 


GENUS  AGELAIUS.     VIEILLOT. 
498.  Agelaius  phoeniceus  (LINN.). 

Red-winged  Blackbird;  Swamp  Blackbird. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  37.) 

Bill,  legs  and  feet  (dried  specimens)  black  ;  iris  brown  ;  male  larger  than  female. 

Adult  male. — General  color  uniform  lustrous  velvet-black,  shoulders  and  lesser- 
wing  coverts  of  a  bright  crimson  or  vermillion-red  ;  middle  coverts  brownish-yel- 
low ;  in  autumn  and  winter  the  back  and  scapular  feathers,  particularly,  are  con- 
spicuously bordered  with  rusty.  Florida  specimens  are  smaller  and  more  glossy 
than  Pennsylvania  specimens. 

Adult  female.— Brown  above,  the  feathers  edged  or  streaked  with  rufous-brown 
and  yellowish  ;  beneath  whitish,  streaked  with  brown  ;  stripe  on  crown  and  over  the- 
eye  strongly  tinged  with  brownish-yellow;  throat,  chin,  edgeofwing,  tinged  with  pink 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  27. 


/ 


i.  Male  Adult:    2.  Female;  3.    Young  Male. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  169 

or  yellowish,  but  mostly  pink,  in  the  spring  and  summer  at  least.  The  female  differs 
greatly  in  appearance  ;  the  prevailing  color  above  is  brownish-black,  all  the  feathers 
margined  with  reddish-brown  ;  some  of  those  on  the  back  with  brownish-yellow, 
which,  on  tho  medium  and  greater  wing  coverts,  forms  two  bands;  the  under  parts 
are  dull-whitish,  each  leather  broadly  streaked  centrally  with  dark-brown  ;  the  chin 
and  throat  yellowish,  and  but  little  streaked;  there  is  a  distinct  whitish  supercili- 
ary streak  alongside  the  head,  tinged  anteriorly  with  brownish-yellow,  and  another 
less  distinct  in  the  medium  line  of  the  crown.  The  young  male,  at  first  very  similar 
to  the  female,  may  soon  be  recognized  by  the  black  feathers  appearing  singly  or  in 
patches  ;  immature  males  exhibit  every  possible  condition  of  coloration  between  that 
of  the  old  male  and  of  the  female. 

Male  measures  about  9^  inches  in  length  and  15.25  inches  in  extent. 

Hab. — North  America  in  general,  from  Great  Slave  Lake  south  to  Costa  Rica, 

The  Swamp  or  Red  winged  Blackbird,  as  this  well-known  species  is 
usually  designated,  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  Pennsylvania. 
Arrives  in  small  flocks  about  March  20 ;  males  come  a  few  days  in 
advance  of  females ;  both  sexes  in  company  leave  during  the  latter 
part  of  September.  These  birds,  mainly  terrestrial  when  feeding  fre- 
quent principally  meadows,  fields  and  swamps.  Nests,  built  early  in 
May  and  also  in  July  (two  broods  being  sometimes  raised  in  this 
locality),  are  placed  in  tussocks  of  grass  or  low  bushes  preferably  along 
the  borders  of  streams  or  ponds.  Nest,  bulky,  composed  chiefly  of 
coarse  grasses,  lined  with  finer  grass ;  those  built  on  bushes  arc  mostly 
very  compact,  others  are  generally  loose  and  carelessly  constructed. 
The  eggs,  four  to  six,  a  little  less  than  an  inch  long,  and  not  quite 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  broad,  are  light  bluish,  spotted,  blotched  and 
lined  with  black  and  purplish  brown.  Sometimes  several  females, 
with  only  one  male  will  be  found  breeding  in  a  swamp  or  field,  at 
other  times  the  male  appears  to  devote  his  exclusive  attention  to  one 
female.  A  dozen  or  more  nests  may  frequently  be  seen  in  close  prox- 
imity to  each  other,  and  their  owners  always  appear  on  friendly  terms ; 
when  these  nesting- places  are  approached  the  Red-wings  hover  over 
your  head  and  utter  sharp  piteous  cries. 

Although  Swamp  Blackbirds  sometimes  visit  corn-fields  during  the 
planting  season,  and  also  again  when  the  corn  is  in  the  milky  state, 
the  amount  of  grain  which  they  take  or  injure  is  so  small,  that  the 
farmer  is  seldom  heard  to  utter  a  complaint  against  this  species,  which 
in  the  agricultural  districts  of  Pennsylvania,  receives,  as  it  justly 
merits,  universal  protection. 

The  following  twenty  odd  records  will  suffice  to  show  the  general 
nature  of  the  food  during  the  months  of  March,  April  and  May : 


170 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

Mar.     8,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles. 

2 

Mar.   18,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Beetles. 

3 

Mar.   18,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   . 

Small  seeds. 

4 

Mar.  18,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  small   amount  of  unde- 

termined vegetable  matter. 

5 

Mar.   18,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Grubs  and  few  seeds. 

6 

Mar.   18,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  particles  of  Indian  corn. 

7 

Mar.  31,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  black-colored  seeds. 

8 

Mar.  31,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Grass  seeds. 

9 

April  12,  1883, 

Chester  county.  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  seeds  and  insects. 

10 

A  prill  4,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   . 

Small  seeds  and  beetles. 

11 

April  14,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  seeds  and  beetles. 

12 

April  14,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetleschiefly  ;  some  few  small  seeds. 

13 

April  14,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  chiefly  and  small  amount  un- 

determined' vegetable  matter. 

14 

May     3,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Insects,  with  apparently  few  blades  of 

grass  (?). 

15 

May  20,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Beetles  and  grubs. 

16 

May  20,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Corn  "cut-worms." 

17 

May  20,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

18 

May  20,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   . 

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

19 

May  20,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  "cut-worms." 

20 

May  20,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Brown-colored  seeds. 

21 

May  28,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Cut-  worms  and  beetles. 

22 

May  28,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Black-colored  seeds. 

23 

May  28,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  few  small  seeds. 

24 

May  28,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Chiefly  "cut-worms"  and  traces  of 

beetles. 

25 

May     3,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Purple-colored  flies. 

The  Red-wing,  like  the  Crow  Blackbird,  destroys  large  numbers  of 
"  cut- worms."  I  have  taken  from  the  stomach  of  a  single  Swamp 
Blackbird  as  many  as  twenty-eight  u  cut- worms."  In  addition  to  the 
insects,  etc.,  mentioned  above,  these  birds  also,  during  their  residence 
with  us,  feed  on  earth  worms,  grasshoppers,  crickets  and  plant-lice, 
and  various  larvae,  so  destructive  at  times  in  the  field  and  garden. 
During  the  summer  season,  fruits  of  the  blackberry,  raspberry,  wild 
strawberry,  and  wild  cherry  are  eaten  to  a  more  or  less  extent.  The 
young,  while  under  parental  care,  are  fed  exclusively  on  an  insect 
diet. 

Dr.  Coues,  writing  of  this  species,  says :  "  From  its  general  disper- 
sion in  low  or  wet  thickets  or  fields,  swamps  and  marshes,  the  black- 
bird collects  in  August  and  September  in  immense  flocks,  thronging 
the  extensive  tracts  of  wild  oats  and  other  aquatic  plants  in  marshes 
and  along  water-courses,  also  visiting  and  doing  much  damage  to  grain- 
fields.  Thousands  are  destroyed  by  boys  and  pot-hunters,  but  the 
hosts  scarcely  diminish,  and  every  known  artifice  fails  to  protect  the 
crops  from  invasion  of  the  dusky  hordes.  At  other  seasons  the 
'maize-thief  is  innocuous,  if  not  positively  beneficial,  as  it  destroys 
its  share  of  insects." — Cones'  Key,  p.  404-  In  the  rice-growing  States 
the  Red-winged  Blackbird  ranks  next  to  the  Reed-bird  in  its  ravages 
on  the  rice  fields.  Theo.  S.  Wilkinson,  Myrtle-grove  plantation,  lower 


natural  size. 


Plate  28. 


i.  Males;   2,.  Female, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  171 

coast,  Louisiana,  writes  as  follows  in  the  annual  report  (1886),  issued 
by  Ornithologist  Dr.  0.  Hart  Merriam,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agr.,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C. :  u  The  rice  crop  in  Louisiana,  from  the  time  the  rice  is  in 
the  milk  till  harvest  time  and  during  harvesting,  is  much  damaged  by 
birds,  principally  the  Red-shouldered  Blackbird.  Shooting  is  the  only 
remedy  thus  far  resorted  to  which  is  at  all  effective,  and  it  is  only 
partially  so.  I  have  known  rice  crops  to  be  destroyed  to  the  extent 
of  over  50  per  cent.,  which  is  a  loss  of  say  $13  per  acre.  While  this 
is  an  extreme  case,  a  damage  and  expense  of  from  $5  to  $10  per  acre 
is  very  common. 

The  average  yield  per  acre  is  about  30  bushels,  worth  now  (March 
12,  1886)  about  80  cents  per  bushel." 


GENUS  STURNBLLA.     VIEILLOT. 
501.     Sturnella  magna  (LINN.). 

Meadow  Lark. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  28.) 

Thick  and  stout  body ;  legs  large ;  toes  reach  beyond  the  tail ;  hind  toe  long,  its 
claw  twice  as  long  as  middle  one  :  Upper  mandible  (dried  specimens)  dark  brown  ; 
lower  bill  lighter  at  base,  dark  towards  the  point ;  tarsus  and  feet  light  brownish  ; 
claws  darker  ;  iris  brown.  Feathers  of  head  stiffish,  tipped  with  bristles.  Throat, 
sides  of  breast,  spot  from  nostrils  to  eye,  edge  of  wing  and  abdomen  bright  yellow  ; 
breast  with  a  large  black  crescent,  the  horns  of  which  go  half  way  up  side  of  neck  ; 
the  feathers  above  dark  brown  ;  exposed  portions  of  wings  and  tail  with  transverse 
dark-brown  bars  which  on  the  middle  tail  feathers  are  confluent  along  the  shaft; 
strong  shade  of  bluish  ash  on  lesser  wing  coverts  ;  several  lateral  tail  feathers  partly 
white  ;  sides,  under  tail  coverts  and  tibiae  pale  reddish  brown,  streaked  with  black- 
ish ;  a  light  stripe  extends  from  base  of  upper  mandible  over  crown  ;  and  a  similar 
over  along  sides  of  top  of  head  ;  a  faint  black  streak  above  the  eye,  and  a  brood  over 
behind  it.  Sexes  alike  but  female  usually  duller  than  male.  Birds  in  the  autumn 
have  black  breast  spot  more  or  less  obscured  with  grayish  or  brownish.  Southern 
birds  are  smaller  than  Northern.  Male,  length  about  1(H  inches  ;  extent  about  16£ 
inches.  The  female  is  smaller. 

Hab.— Eastern  United  States,  and  southern  Canada  to  the  Plains. 

The  Meadow  Lark  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  during  all  months  of  the 
year,  but  in  the  spring,  summer,  and  particularly  in  the  autumn,  is 
much  more  common  than  throughout  the  dreary  months  of  winter. 
These  birds  are  gregarious,  at  least  they  generally,  when  not  engaged 
in  breeding  are  to  be  found  in  small  flocks,  which  wander  about  from 
place  to  place,  and  only  discontinue  this  nomadic  life  when  they  en- 
gage in  housekeeping.  These  well-known  rovers,  rendered  so  con- 
spicuous by  their  yellow  shirts  arid  black  bosoms,  collect  usually  in 
parties  of  from  twelve  to  thirty  individuals  ;  in  the  fall,  however,  it  is 
not  uncommon  to  find  a  hundred,  and  sometimes  more,  of  these  birds 
scattered  about  a  field  or  meadow.  Meadow  Larks — generally  quite 
shy  and  difficult  of  approach — frequent  at  all  seasons,  principally 


172  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

grassy  fields  and  meadows,  but  during  the  winter  when  deep  snows 
cover  their  common  feeding  grounds,  they  often  visit  the  barnyards, 
and,  if  not  molested  will  become  rather  tame.  They  also,  at  these 
periods  of  snow  inundation,  assemble  in  the  public  highways  and 
glean  a  scanty  subsistence  from  the  droppings  of  horses.  Although 
Larks  frequently  alight  on  trees,  they  never,  I  think,  are  seen  to  feed 
in  such  places,  their  food  is  collected  from  the  ground.  In  spring  the 
flocks  break  up  and  these  birds  are  observed  singly  or  in  pairs.  Nest- 
building,  in  this  latitude,  is  begun  late  in  April  or  early  in  May. 
Both  sexes  engage  in  constructing  their  nest,  composed  of  dried  grass, 
placed  on  the  ground,  and  most  ingeniously  concealed  in  a  thick  tuft 
of  grass.  The  nests  are  built  in  meadows  and  grass  fields,  and  fre- 
quently, though  not  always  rest  in  a  concavity  of  the  earth. 

The  oval,  white  eggs,  usually  five  in  number,  are  spotted  with  red- 
dish-brown ;  they  vary  considerably  in  size,  but  average  about  1.16 
inches  long  by  .80  of  an  inch  wide.  Their  food  consists  of  various 
forms  of  insects,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  beetles,  grasshop 
pers,  larvae,  earthworms,  ants,  etc.  The  Lark,  like  the  Red-winged 
Blackbird,  is  fond  of  "  cut- worms,"  he  also  subsists  on  the  seeds  of  va- 
rious grasses,  weeds,  etc.,  and  according  to  Mr.  Gentry  they  some- 
times feed  on  wild  cherries,  wild  strawberries  and  blackberries.  Al- 
though this  species  will  sometimes  eat  the  grains  of  wheat,  oats,  rye 
or  particles  of  corn  which  they  find  scattered  on  the  ground  in  fields 
or  other  places,  they  rarely  disturb  these  cereals  when  growing,  and 
never  commit  in  grain  fields  any  depredations  at  or  about  the  season 
of  harvest.  Seventeen  Meadow  Larks,  which  I  captured  (March  and 
April,  1885),  in  the  open  pine  woods  of  Florida,  were  found  to  have 
fed  only  on  insects,  chiefly  beetles.  In  December,  1886, 1  killed  seven 
of  these  birds  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  their  stomachs  were  all  gorged 
with  grasshoppers.  In  the  Carolinas,  Audubon  says,  many  planters 
agree  in  denouncing  the  Lark  as  a  depredator,  C;  alleging  that  it 
scratches  up  oat  seeds,  when  sown  early  in  spring,  and  is  fond  of 
plucking  up  the  young  corn,  wheat,  rye  or  rice." 

GENUS  ICTERUS.     BRISSON. 
506.    Icterus  spurius  (LiNN.). 

Orchard  Oriole. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  slender,  very  acute  and  somewhat  decurved  ;  bill  and  feet  bluish  black  ;  iris 
brown.  Adult  male— Head  and  neck  all  round,  upper  portion  of  breast  and  back, 
scapulars,  tail  and  wings  (except  middle  and  lesser  coverts,  which  are  chestnut) 
deep  black  with  slight  gloss,  particularly  about  head  and  throat ;  lateral  tail  feathers 
with  white  tips.  Rest  of  under  parts,  lower  part  of  back,  upper  tail  coverts  dark 
chestnut  brown,  deepest  on  breast ;  greater  wing  coverts  black,  edged  with  white, 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA.  173 

forming  a  wing-bar;  secondaries  and  sometimes  primaries,  edged  with  whitish  or 
pale  chestnut  Adult  female— Above  yellowish  olive,  darkest  on  back,  clearest  on 
head,  tail  and  rump  ;  below  light  olive  yellow  ;  wings  dusky,  with  two  bars  of  white. 
Young  male  in  late  summer  and  autumn  similar  to  female,  though  somewhat  larger. 
I  have  never  seen  young  males  in  spring  without  some  black  feathers  on  throat  or 
loral  space,  or  some  chestnut  colored  feathers,  and  I  have  taken  young  males  when 
just  able  to  fly  with  a  few  black  feathers  on  chin  and  throat — Warren.  Young  male 
/•m#— Similar  to  female,  but  with  face  and  throat  black.  From  this  last  de- 
scribed condition  males  are  found  in  all  stages  until  the  full  adult  plumage  is  as- 
sumed. The  chestnut  and  black  appears  in  streaks  and  patches.  A  young  male 
(nine  months  old)  now  before  me,  is  in  full  adult  plumage,  with  the  following  ex- 
ceptions :  Occiput  and  crown  with  a  few  dark  yellowish  feathers  ;  feathers  of  lower 
hind  neck  and  inter-scapular  region  deep  black  but  edged  with  rusty  ;  a  few  yellow 
feathers  mixed  with  the  light  chestnut  of  abdomen  ;  sides  slightly  tinged  Avith  yel- 
lowish which  is  generally  on  tips  of  chestnut  feathers ;  edge  of  wing  yellow  and 
chestnut;  middle  coverts  of  one  wing  margined  with  greenish  yellow,  on  the  other 
wing  these  feathers  same  as  in  adult;  greater  coverts  (both  wings)  edged  with  pale 
chestnut—  Warren.  Length,  about  7  inches  ;  extent,  about  10  inches;  female  trifle 
smaller. 
Hob. — United  States,  west  to  the  plains,  south,  in  winter,  to  Panama. 

The  Orchard  Oriole,  as  its  vernacular  name  would  indicate,  is  a 
common  inhabitant  of  orchards,  particularly  apple  orchards. 

Late  in  April  or  early  in  May,  usually  a  few  days  after  the  shrill 
notes  of  the  Baltimore  Oriole  have  been  heard,  the  subject  of  this 
present  sketch  arrives  from  his  winter  retreats  in  tropical  America. 
This  species  appears  to  arrive  singly  or  in  pairs,  the  males  come  at 
least  two  or  three  days  before  the  females.  The  Orchard  Oriole  is  of 
a  rather  shy  disposition,  and  although  he  is  a  common  frequenter 
of  the  fruit  and  shade  trees — both  in  town  and  country — he  prefers 
to  shelter  his  body  in  the  thickest  portion  of  the  leafy  branches,  from 
which  his  peculiar — somewhat  harsh  and  rattling  though  not  un- 
musical— notes  are  frequently  heard  when  the  vivacious  little  min- 
strel is  entirely  hidden  from  view.  Sometimes,  however,  he  will, 
like  the  Indigobird  or  Brown  Thrush,  perch  on  the  topmost  limbs 
and  sing  with  the  greatest  energy.  As  soon  as  the  young  are  hatched 
his  rapid  and  confuse^  song  ceases.  The  firm  and  somewhat  long-cup- 
shaped  nest,  constructed  of  fine  green-grass  stems  most  beautifully 
interwoven  and  lined  on  the  bottom  with  downy  substances,  is  usually 
placed  among  the  upright  twigs  of  an  apple,  pear  or  maple  limb. 
When  such  a  sight  is  selected  the  nest  is  not  pensile ;  on  two  occasions, 
however,  I  have  found  nests  which  were  suspended  from  small  bifur- 
cated branches.  The  nests  before  the  eggs  are  hatched  have  an  odor 
similar  to  that  of  new  hay.  The  eggs,  mostly  five,  are  bluish-white, 
indistinctly  dotted  with  bluish-gray,  and  conspicuously  spotted  (some- 
times lined)  with  brown  and  black.  They  measure  about  .86  by  .58. 
In  the  late  summer,  preparatory  to  migrating  south,  these  birds  collect 
in  flocks  *  of  from  fifteen  to  thirty,  seldom  more,  and  are  frequently 

*  These  tlocks,  I  think,  are  composed  entirely  of  young  of  the  first  year. 


174 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


to  be  seen  flitting  through  the  bushes  and  trees  along  the  roadside  or 
about  the  borders  of  woods  and  clearings. 

The  food  of  this  species  consists  chiefly  of  insects.  They  destroy 
great  quantities  of  caterpillars,  as  well  as  other  destructive  larvae. 
Immense  numbers  of  noxious  beetles,  numerous  plant-lice,  many 
spiders  and  flies  are  captured  during  their  foraging  expeditions  in  the 
orchard,  field  and  garden.  "  Rose-slugs,"  u  cabbage-worms  "  and 
grasshoppers  are  eagerly  devoured  by  Orchard  Orioles.  They  subsist 
to  a  small  extent  on  soft  fruits  (strawberries,  mulberries  and  raspber- 
ries) when  the  same  are  in  season,  and  occasionally  feed  on  apple  and 
pear  blossoms,  their  depredations,  however,  in  these  directions  are 
very  unimportant.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Philadelphia  Academy  of 
Natural  Sciences,  held  June  2,  1874,  Mr.  Thomas  Meehan,  Botanist  of 
the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  stated,  "  that  he  was  not  familiar  with 
latest  knowledge  in  ornithology,  that  not  being  a  special  study  with 
him ;  but  if  Wilson's  Ornithology  contained  all  that  was  known  of  the 
habits  of  the  Orchard  Oriole,  he  might  say  that  the  bird  did  not  confine 
itself  solely  to  insect  food.  He  had  on  his  grounds  a  large  specimen 
of  the  Staphylea  trifolia,*  which,  when  in  bloom,  was  a  favorite  re- 
sort with  bumblebees  and  Humming-birds,  and  the  Oriole  took  its 
share  of  honey  from  the  flowers  as  well.  It  did  not  rest  on  the  wing 
as  the  Hummingbird  did,  but  sought  a  lower  branch  from  which  it 
could  leisurely  extract  the  sweets  from  the  flowers  above.  He  had 
thought  it  possible  that  the  bird  was  in  search  of  insects  among  the 
flowers,  but  a  careful  examination  proved  otherwise." — From  Gen- 
try's Life  Histories  of  Birds. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May    11,  1880,  . 

Berwyn,  Pa.,    

Small  green  "worms,"  on  apple 

tree. 

2 

May    15,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .   . 

Small  "worms  "  and  beetles. 

3 

May    15,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .   . 

Beetles. 

4 

May    17,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .   . 

Vegetable     matter    (not     deter- 

mined). 

5 

May   23,  1880,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .   . 

Caterpillar,  beetles  and  flies. 

6 

May     6,  1881,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    . 

Beetles  and  few  small  seeds. 

7 

May     8,  1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .   . 

Caterpillars  and  beetles. 

8 

May    13,  1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .   . 

Small  green  worms  and  beetles, 

on  apple  trees. 

9 

May    17,  1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .   . 

Beetles  and  larvae. 

10 

May    17,  1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    . 

Numerous    small    green-colored 

beetles. 

11 

May   21,  1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    . 

Caterpillar,  beetles  and  some  iit- 

tle  vegetable  matter. 

12 

June  10,  1880,  . 

Newark,  Delaware,   .   .    . 

Beetles  and  flies. 

13 

June    1,  1883,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    . 

Caterpillar  and  vegetable  matter. 

14 

June    4,  1884,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    . 

Small  worms  and  beetles. 

15 

June    7,  1884,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    . 

Caterpillars,  small  green  beetles 

and  other  insects. 

16 

July  20,  1884,  . 

Chester  county,  Pa.,     .    . 

Small  seeds  and  flies. 

1  American  Bladder-nut. 


.!  of  natural  size. 


Plate  29. 


i.  Male  Adult,    z    Young  Male;  j.  Female. 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA.  175 


507.  Icterus  galbula  (LiNN.) 

Baltimore  Oriole ;  Hangingbird. 

(Plate  29.) 

The  adults  and  young  vary  greatly  in  plumage.     The  adult  female  and  young 
male  frequently  can  only  be  distinguished  by  dissection. 
Length  about  8  inches ;  extent  about  12^  inches  ;  female  smaller. 
Hab.— Eastern  United  States  ;  west  nearly  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

The  Baltimore  Oriole  is  quite  plentifully  distributed  throughout 
Pennsylvania  as  a  summer  resident.  This  well-known  and  beautiful 
species  winters,  it  is  stated,  in  Cuba,  Mexico  and  Central  America, 
and  in  the  spring  migrates  northward,  arriving  in  this  latitude  from 
April  25  to  May  1.  The  males  come  mostly  a  few  days  in  advance  of 
the  females,  and  appear  usually  in  parties  of  five  or  eight,  sometimes, 
though  rarely,  flocks  of  fifteen  or  twenty  individuals  are  observed. 
These  birds  at  first,  and  particularly  if  several  should  be  together,  are 
generally  found  frequenting  forests ;  especially  do  they  delight  in 
gleaning  among  the  branches  of  the  hickory,  maple  and  oak  trees. 
The  Baltimore  Oriole,  like  the  preceding  species,  is  a  common  fre- 
quenter about  the  habitations  of  man.  This  bird  is  known  by  a  va- 
riety of  names,  most  of  which  have  reference  to  his  showy  dress.  The 
appellation  "Baltimore,"  Dr.  Coues  writes,  "is  not  from  the  city 
of  that  name,  but  from  the  title  of  Sir  George  Calvert  first  baron  of 
Baltimore;  the  colors  of  the  bird  being  chosen  for  his  livery,  or  resem- 
bling those  of  his  coat-of-arms." — Key  to  N.  A.  Birds,  p.  408.  The 
terms  Golden-robin,  Firebird  and  Red-bird,  are  in  allusion  to  the 
orange  coloration,  brightest  on  the  breast,  but  varying  in  amount  as 
well  as  brilliancy  with  age  and  season.  He  is  also  called  Hang-nest 
and  Hangingbird,  from  the  fact  that  he,  assisted  by  his  mate,  con- 
structs a  most  elaborate  pensile  nest,  so  frequently  seen  swinging  in 
the  pendant  branches  of  the  drooping  willow,  the  spreading  elm.  the 
stately  poplar  or  the  tall  sycamore.  Nest  building,  in  this  locality,  is 
begun  late  in  May  or  early  in  June.  The  male  devotes  himself,  prin- 
cipally, to  collecting  the  building  materials,  while  upon  the  female, 
Mr.  Gentry  states,  "  devolves  the  duty  of  weaving  the  ingredients 
together,  which  is  the  labor  of  a  week  of  almost  steady  application/' 
The  nest,  composed  of  various  materials,  such  as  strings,  pieces  of 
lint,  rags,  plant-fibres,  hair,  etc.,  which  are  capable  of  being  woven 
together,  is  always  suspended  from  the  pendulous  branches  of  a  tree 
either  in  an  orchard,  lawn  or  woods.  The  bottom  of  this  swaying,  cylin- 
dric  and  pouch- like  abode  is  lined  with  different  downy  substances.  The 
nests  are  generally  so  placed  that  they  are  sheltered  by  a  bunch  of  leaves 
hanging  from  above,  sometimes,  however,  when  insufficient  protec- 
tion is  thus  furnished  by  nature,  these  weaver-birds,  to  shield  their 


176 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 


hidden  treasures  from  sun  and  rain,  will  construct  a  canopy  of  strings, 
etc.,  above  the  top  of  their  house.  The  eggs,  commonly  five  in  number, 
are  a  little  larger  than  those  of  the  Orchard  Oriole.  They  are  whitish, 
dotted,  blotched,  spotted  and  sinuously  lined  with  black  and  brown. 
The  Baltimore  Oriole  feeds  chiefly  on  various  forms  of  insect-life. 
The  destructive  apple-tree  caterpillars,  as  well  as  other  caterpillars, 
are  destroyed  in  great  quantities  by  these  birds,  who  not  only  sub- 
sist to  a  considerable  extent  on  these  and  other  larvae,  but  likewise, 
Nuttall  states,  feed  their  young  principally  on  soft  caterpillars.  The 
Orioles  also  capture  large  numbers  of  beetles,  flies,  spiders,  etc.,  in  the 
fruit  and  forest  trees.  They  occasionally  feed  on  the  blossoms  of  the 
apple,  pear,  maple  and  other  trees.  A  juicy  cherry  is  relished,  and 
different  kinds  of  small  berries  are  fed  upon  to  a  more  or  less  extent. 
Mr.  Gentry  in  relation  to  this  species  says :  "  This  Oriole  deserves  our 
favor  and  esteem  for  the  numerous  insects  of  an  injurious  character 
which  it  destroys,  which  thus  compensate  for  the  trifling  injuries 
which  it  commits  in  the  destruction  of  the  succulent  pea  and  the  blos- 
soms of  the  cherry  and  apple  which  it  rifles  of  their  stamens  and 
ovaries." 


No,          DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May     4,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  arid  blossoms. 

2 

May   10,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  diptera. 

3 

May     6,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Vegetable  matter,  apparently  blossoms. 

4 

May     6,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  vegetable  matter. 

5 

c 

May   10,  1880, 
May   11,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  vegetable  matter. 
Caterpillars,  fragments  of  beetles,  small 

green  worms  and  leaves. 

7 

June    6,  1880, 

New  Castle  Co.,  Del,  , 

Beetles. 

8 
9 

June  11,  1880, 
May   19,  1882, 

New  Castle  Co.,  Del., 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  vegetable  matter  (blossoms). 
Larvae,  diptera  and  beetles.* 

10 
11 

May   19,  1882, 
May   19,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Larvae,  diptera  and  beetles.* 
Beetles  and  flies.* 

12 

May   19,  1832, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  flies.* 

13 

May     7,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Larvae  and  beetles  (on  apple  tree) 

14 

May     7,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  diptera.* 

15 

May     7,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  diptera.* 

16 

May     7,  1833, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Black  beetles.* 

17 

May   13,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Small  black  beetles  (on  apple  tree). 

18 

May   13,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Small  black  beetles  (on  apple  tree). 

19 

May   14,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Larvae,  beetles  and  traces  of  vegetable 

matter.* 

20 

May  14,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Larvae.* 

21 

May   14,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles.* 

22 

May   14,  1883. 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Larvae  and  beetles.* 

23 

May  21,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Larvae. 

24 

May  21,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Larvae. 

25 

May  25,  18S3, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  larvae. 

20 

June    1,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  larvae. 

*  Feeding  on  hickory  trees. 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA.  177 

GENUS  SCOIiECOPHAGUS.     SWAINSON. 
509.    Scolecophagus  carolinus  (MULL.). 

Rusty  Blackbird. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  shorter  than  head  and  rather  slender  ;  legs  and  feet  dark ;  iris  pale-straw  color ; 
light  line  over  eye. 

Male. — General  color  black  and  somewhat  glossy ;  feathers  of  upper  part  very 
rusty ;  lower  parts  rusty  but  lighter. 

Female. — Brownish-slate  color,  more  or  less  rusty.  Length  about  9g  inches ;  ex- 
tent about  15  inches ;  female  little  smaller. 

Hab. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  Alaska  and  the  Plains.  Breeds  from 
northern  New  England  northward. 

The  Rusty  Grackle,  the  least  numerous  of  all  our  Blackbirds  and 
the  only  Blackbird  occurring  in  Pennsylvania  which  does  not  breed 
in  this  Commonwealth,  can  readily  be  recognized  from  other  species 
by  its  ferruginous  plumage  and  yellow  or  light-colored  eyes.  The 
Rusty  Blackbirds  winter  in  the  Southern  States,  passing  southward  as 
far  as  Florida,  where  I  have  observed  them  in  February  and  March. 
When  journeying  to  their  breeding  grounds,  from  the  northern  New 
England  States  to  Labrador,  etc.,  this  species,  according  to  my  obser- 
vation, migrates  singly  or  in  pairs,  but  never  in  flocks.  These  birds 
.arrive  in  Pennsylvania,  occasionally  as  early  as  March  1,  and  some 
seasons  they  are  not  observed  before  April  1 ;  they  usually,  however, 
<3ome  about  the  middle  of  March,  and  frequent  chiefly  during  their 
brief  sojourn  bushy  and  marshy  situations  generally.  After  having 
reared  their  young  they  again  make  their  appearance  in  this  State 
about  the  middle  of  October  (sometimes  as  early  as  the  first  of  Octo- 
ber), and  often  are  seen  as  late  as  the  20th  of  November.  In  the 
autumn  the  Rusty  Blackbirds  are  observed  in  flocks  of  from  eight  to 
a  dozen  or  fifteen  (seldom  more)  individuals.  At  this  time  they 
inhabit  the  same  localities  that  were  resorted  to  in  spring,  and  visit 
also  corn  and  other  grain  fields;  like  the  Cowbirds,  that  depart 
usually  by  the  time  their  rusty-coated  relatives  arrive,  they  often  fre- 
quent pasture  grounds  among  the  cattle.  I  have  never  seen  these 
birds  alight  on  the  backs  of  cattle  as  Crows  and  Cowbirds  sometimes 
are  in  the  habit  of  doing.  The  only  note  I  have  ever  heard  this  bird 
utter  is  a  short  and  rather  low  chuck.  The  food  of  this  species  con- 
sists largely  of  beetles,  grasshoppers,  snails  and  earthworms.  They 
feed  to  considerable  extent  on  the  seeds  of  various  plants ;  different 
kinds  of  small  berries  are  added  to  their  menu  ;  the  scattered  grains 
of  wheat,  rye  or  other  cereals,  which  are  to  be  found  in  the  fields  and 
meadows,  are  likewise  eaten.  When  in  corn-fields  they  sometimes 
perch  on  the  shocks  and  pick  from  the  ears  a  few  grains,  the  damage, 
however,  which  they  do  in  this  way  is  but  of  little  importance. 
12  BIRDS. 


178  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GENUS  QUISCALUS.     VIEILLOT. 
511.  Quisalcus  quiscula  (LiNN.). 

Purple  Grackle;  Common  Crow  Blackbird. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill  stout,  about  as  long  as  head  ;  bill  and  feet  black  ;  iris  yellow.  In  life  may  be 
recognized  by  the  V-shaped  tail,  so  conspicuous  when  flying.  Head  and  neck  all 
well  denned  steel-blue,  the  rest  of  the  body  with  varied  reflections  of  bronze,  golden, 
green,  copper  and  purple,  the  latter  most  conspicuous,  especially  on  tail,  the  tail- 
coverts  and  wings. 

Female.—  Similar,  but  smaller  and  duller,  with  more  green  on  the  head. 

Young.— Very  similar  to  female.     The  eyes  of  young  birds  are  brown. 

Male. — Measures  about  13  inches  long  and  18  inches  in  extent. 

Hab.— Atlantic  States,  from  Florida  to  Long  Island. 

It  can  safety  be  said,  that  of  the  numerous  representatives  of  the 
Avian  tribes  abounding  throughout  this  great  Commonwealth,  no 
species  is  more  abundant  or  familiarly  known  than  is  the  subject  of 
this  article.  Early  in  the  month  of  March  this  species  arrives  in  Penn- 
sylvania in  large-sized  flocks  from  their  wintering  resorts,  viz  :  Vir- 
ginia, the  Carolinas,  Georgia  and  other  of  the  Southern  States. 

During  mild  winters,  however,  I  have  frequently  observed  them,  in 
limited  numbers,  in  this  section  (Chester  county),  also  in  the  county 
of  New  Castle,  Delaware;  correctly  speaking,  however,  we  cannot 
properly  regard  these  birds  as  winter  residents  of  the  Keystone  State. 

For  a  period  of  about  one  month  following  their  vernal  arrival  they 
roam  over  the  country,  frequenting  chiefly  meadows,  low  lands  and 
plowed  fields.  On  the  approach  of  night  they  collect  in  large  num- 
bers in  some  favorite  roosting-place,  commonly  cedar  or  pine  trees. 

Nest-building  is  usually  begun  about  the  middle  of  April,  although 
on  two  or  three  occasions  I  have  found  nests,  with  full  complements 
of  eggs,  as  early  as  the  first  week  in  April. 

In  colonies  of  from  ten  to  twenty,  seldom  more,  individuals  they 
locate  themselves  for  the  purpose  of  nidification  and  reproduction. 
In  this  locality  (Chester  county)  their  favorite  breeding  resorts  are 
apple  orchards ;  the  fruit  and  other  trees  commonly  about  the  habita- 
tions of  man.  The  nest  is  bulky  and  rudely  constructed  externally  of 
rootlets,  small  twigs,  dry  plants,  bits  of  corn-blades,  etc.,  somewhat 
loosely  but  quite  firmly  bound  together.  Mud  or  mudded  materials- 
frequently  enter  into  the  construction  of  the  nest,  but  this  is  not 
always  the  case ;  the  interior  is  lined  usually  with  fine  grass ;  occa- 
sionally I  have  seen  leaves  and  feathers  constituting  the  internal 
lamina.  The  construction  of  the  nest  occupies  about  one  week ;  both 
sexes  engage  themselves  in  its  erection.  It  is  built  at  the  junction  of 
two  or  more  large-sized  limbs  or  among  the  sprouts  and  matted  twigs. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA,  179 

The  nests  vary  somewhat  in  size,  but  the  one  now  before  me — about 
the  average — gives  the  following  dimensions:  Height,  6£  inches; 
diameter,  7-J  inches ;  depth  of  cavity,  3  inches.  Gentry  observes  that 
the  female  begins  to  deposit  her  eggs,  one  ovum  per  day,  the  day  fol- 
lowing the  completion  of  the  nest.  Such  may  be  the  case,  but  my 
observation  has  been  that  oviposition  often  does  not  take  place  until 
three  or  even  five  days  subsequent  to  the  completion  of  the  nest.  The 
complement  of  eggs  is  commonly  spoken  of  as  six ;  generally,  how- 
ever, I  have  found  five,  and  regard  this  number  as  the  full  quota. 
The  eggs  are  light  greenish  (sometimes  pale  rusty  brown),  spotted, 
blotched  and  lined  with  black  and  dark  brown;  they  measure  about 
1^  inches  long  and  .90  of  an  inch  wide.  The  period  of  incubation  is 
from  fourteen  to  fifteen  days.  The  parent  birds  evince  marked  solici- 
tude for  their  nest  and  its  contents. 

It  is  evident  from  the  writings  of  various  authorities  that  the  nest- 
ing sites  of  this  species  vary  considerably.  By  Nuttall  and  others  we 
are  informed  that  they  sometimes  build  in  bushes.  From  the  works 
of  Audubon  it  is  learned  that  in  the  South  they  build  chiefly  in  hollow 
trees. 

Wilson,  in  speaking  of  the  Crow  Blackbird,  says :  u  A  singular 
attachment  frequently  takes  place  between  this  bird  and  the  Fish 
Hawk.  The  nest  of  the  latter  is  of  very  large  dimensions,  often  three 
or  four  feet  in  breadth  and  from  four  to  five  feet  high,  composed,  ex- 
ternally, of  large  sticks  or  faggots,  among  the  interstices  of  which, 
sometimes,  three  or  four  pairs  of  Crow  Blackbirds  will  construct  their 
nests  while  the  Hawk  is  sitting  or  hatching  above.  Here  each  pur- 
sues the  duties  of  incubation  and  of  rearing  their  young,  living  in  the 
greatest  harmony  and  mutually  watching  and  protecting  each  others' 
property  from  depredators." 

I  have  found  these  birds  building  in  common  house  ivy  (Hedera 
helix)  but  never  in  bushes,  and  only  on  two  occasions  have  I  discov- 
ered their  nests  in  hollow  trees ;  both  of  these  nests  were  built  in  ap- 
ple trees.  One  was  constructed  in  a  limb  about  seven  feet  from  the 
ground,  the  other  was  placed  about  twenty  feet  from  the  earth,  neither 
of  these  differed  materially  in  their  make  up  from  the  average  nest. 

FOOD. 

To  our  agriculturists  this  is  a  subject  worthy  of  some  consideration. 
It  appears  to  be  the  prevailing  opinion  among  many  farmers — the 
majority,  in  fact — that  Crow  Blackbirds  are  in  many  ways  detrimental, 
and  in  no  particular  are  they  beneficial.  This  belief,  evidently  handed 
down  from  one  generation  to  another,  is  taken  in  its  full  meaning, 
widely  at  variance  with  positive  fact.  Among  the  first  of  our  vernal 
migrants  come  the  Crow  Blackbirds  in  large  flocks  which  disperse 


180  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

themselves  over  the  country,  frequenting,  principally,  as  previously 
stated,  meadow  lands  and  humid  grounds  in  quest  chiefly  of  insect 
diet,  that  is  only  occasonally  diversified  by  a  grain  of  corn,  wheat  or 
oats,  and  such  seeds  as  may  be  found  in  seeking  the  hidden  insect. 

In  the  wake  of  the  plowman,  as  he  turns  the  crumbling  earth, 
closely  follow  the  argus-eyed  Grackles,  ever  on  the  alert  to  seize  the 
wriggling  worm,  the  agile  beetle,  or  the  glistening  grub,  and  the  num- 
erous larvcB  thrown  out  as  each  furrow  is  turned.  Certainly,  at  this 
season  our  sable  acquaintances  are  engaged  only  in  that  which  will 
prove  of  utility  to  the  cultivator  when  his  crops  are  growing.  We 
repeatedly  hear  of  how  the  Blackbirds  tear  up  and  devour  the  young 
and  growing  corn.  This,  unquestionably,  is  sometimes  the  case,  but  I 
am  confident  that  the  destruction  thus  done  is  much  exaggerated.  I 
am  aware  that  on  more  than  one  occasion  I  have  seen  the  tender 
blades  of  corn  lying  on  the  ground  where  were  actively  at  work  Crow 
Blackbirds,  a  number  of  which  were  shot,  and  on  post-mortem  dissec- 
tion their  stomachs  revealed  almost  entirely  insects.  Some  four  years 
ago  I  was  visiting  a  friend  who  had  thirty  odd  acres  of  corn  (maize) 
planted.  Quite  a  number  of  "blackies,"  as  he  styled  them,  were  ply- 
ing themselves  with  great  activity  about  the  growing  cereal.  We 
shot  thirty-one  of  these  birds  feeding  in  the  corn  field.  Of  this  num- 
ber nineteen  showed  only  cut  worms  in  their  stomachs.  The  number 
of  cut  worms  in  each,  of  course,  varied,  but  as  many  as  twenty-two 
were  taken  from  one  stomach.  In  seven  some  corn  was  found,  in  con- 
nection with  a  very  large  excess  of  insects,  to- wit :  Beetles,  earth 
worms,  and  cut  worms.  The  remaining  five  showed  chiefly  beetles. 

Comment  is  frequently  made  with  regard  to  the  Purple  Grackles 
pillaging  the  cherry  trees.  To  some  extent  this  is  true,  but  certainly 
the  amount  of  fruit  taken  is  small,  far  less  than  that  injured  by  the 
well-known  Cedar  or  Cherry  Bird  (Ampelis  cedrorum.) 

Strawberries,  blackberries,  and  other  fruits  are  fed  upon,  but  to  a 
very  limited  extent,  by  this  species.  The  diet  of  the  young  birds, 
while  under  parental  care,  is  almost  exclusively  insectivorous,  consist- 
ing mainly  of  caterpillars  and  grubs. 

It  is  a  well-established  fact  that  they  are  given  to  pillaging  the  eggs 
of  other  birds,  especially  the  common  Robin.  Gentry,  however,  states 
that  they  destroy  the  young  of  birds,  a  fact,  as  yet,  unobserved  by  the 
writer. 

In  referring  to  this  species,  Wilson  very  aptly  remarks  :  "  As  some 
consolation  to  the  industrious  cultivator,  I  can  assure  him  that  were 
I  placed  in  his  situation,  I  should  hesitate  whether  to  consider  these 
birds  most  as  friends  or  enemies,  as  they  are  particularly  destructive 
to  almost  all  the  noxious  worms,  grubs,  and  caterpillars  that  infest 
his  fields,  which,  were  they  allowed  to  multiply  unmolested,  would 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  181 

soon  consume  nine- tenths  of  all  the  productions  of  his  labor,  and 
desolate  the  country  with  the  miseries  of  famine." 

In  concluding,  attention  is  called  to  several  series  of  stomach  ex- 
aminations, made  at  different  periods  during  the  past  five  years,  and 
from  such  work  the  reader  can  draw  his  own  conclusions. 

March — Twenty-nine  examined.  They  showed  chiefly  insects  and 
seed ;  in  five  corn  was  present,  and  in  four  wheat  and  oats  were  found. 
All  of  these  grains,  however,  were  in  connection  with  an  excess  of  in- 
sect food. 

April — Thirty-three  examined.  They  revealed  chiefly  insects,  with 
but  a  small  amount  of  vegetable  matter. 

May — Eighty-two  examined.  Almost  entirely  insects,  cut-worms 
being  especially  frequent. 

June — Forty-three  examined.  Showed  generally  insects,  cut  worms 
in  abundance ;  fruits  and  berries  present,  but  to  very  small  extent. 

July — Twenty-four  examined.  Showed  mainly  insects;  berries 
present  in  limited  amount. 

August — Twenty-three  examined.  Showed  chiefly  insects,  berries, 
and  corn. 

September — Eighteen  examined.  Showed  insects,  berries,  corn  and 
seeds. 

October — During  this  month  (1882),  the  writer  made  repeated 
visits  to  roosting-resorts,  where  these  birds  were  collected  in  great 
number,  and  shot  three  hundred  and  seventy -eight,  which  were  ex- 
amined. Of  this  number  the  following  io  the  result  of  examinations, 
in  detail,  of  one  hundred  and  eleven  stomachs : 

Thirty,  corn  and  coleoptera  (beetles);  twenty-seven,  corn  only; 
fifteen,  orthoptera  (grasshoppers) ;  eleven,  corn  and  seeds;  eleven, 
corn  and  orthoptera;  seven,  coleoptera;  three,  coleoptera  and  orthop- 
tera; three,  wheat  and  coleoptera;  two,  wheat  and  corn ;  one,  wheat ; 
one,  diptera, 

The  remaining  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven  birds  were  taken  from 
the  10th  to  the  31st  of  the  month,  and  their  food  was  found  to  consist 
almost  entirely  of  corn. 

These  examinations  show  that  late  in  the  fall,  when  insect  food  is 
scarce,  corn  is  especially  preyed  upon  by  these  birds,  but  during  (he 
previous  periods  of  their  residence  with  us,  insects  form  a  large  por- 
tion of  their  diet. 

In  the  West  Chester  (Pa.)  Daily  News,  June  15, 1880,  the  follow- 
ing mention  of  the  Crow  Blackbird  was  made  on  the  authority  of 
David  Euen,  Esq.,  of  Phoenix ville,  Pa. :  "A  day  or  two  since,  while 
Edward  Entwisle  and  another  resident  (David  Euen)  of  Phoenixville 
were  walking  along  French  creek  in  that  town,  they  saw  a  common 
Crow  Blackbird  fly  to  the  water's  edge  and  take  therefrom  a  minnow, 


182 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 


which  it  swallowed."  The  fish-eating  habit  of  the  Crow  Blackbird, 
in  Pennsylvania,  is  of  rare  occurrence,  and  beyond  the  record  above 
given  by  Mr.  Euen  there  are  no  records,  known  to  me,  showing  a 
piscivorous  desire  on  the  part  of  the  species  in  this  Commonwealth. 
At  various  times  in  the  past  eight  years,  I  have  examined  the  stomach 
contents  of  some  seven  hundred  Crow  Blackbirds,  captured  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  Delaware,  yet  in  this  large  number  nothing  was  found 
to  lead  one  to  suspect  a  fish-eating  habit.  In  Florida,  the  Grackle, 
according  to  my  investigations,  takes  most  kindly  to  a  fish  diet.  Since 
the  latter  part  of  February,  1885,  I  have  dissected  the  alimentary 
tracts  of  forty-four  of  this  species,  seventeen  of  which  were  secured 
in  Florida,  along  the  St.  John's  river.  These  seventeen  examples,  ob- 
tained at  various  periods  from  March  1  to  May  7, 1885,  showed  gen- 
erally an  insect-food  preference — beetles,  principally.  Six  of  the 
number,  however,  revealed  unmistakable  evidences  of  having  taken 
as  nourishment  fishes,  as  will  be  seen  by  this  table : 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

2 

March   3,  1885,  . 
April  21,  1885,  . 

Volusia  county,  Florida, 
Orange  countj^,  Florida, 

Five  small  fishes,  beetles  and  grub. 
Three  fishes,  beetles  and  mulber- 

ries. 

3 

April   10,  1885,  . 

Orange  county,  Florida, 

Remains  of  fishes,   beetles,  small 

seeds,  etc. 

4 

March  14,  1885,  . 

Volusia  county,  Florida, 

Remains  of  fishes,  beetle,  oats  and 

corn. 

5 

April   29,  1885,  . 

Volusia  county,  Florida, 

Craw-fish,  minnow  and   different 

insects. 

6 

May     —  ,  1885,  . 

Volusia  county,  Florida, 

Remains  of  fishes  and  green-col- 

ored beetle. 

Of  the  forty  birds  above  mentioned,  twenty-seven  were  taken  in 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  during  May,  June  and  July,  feeding  chiefly  along 
the  fertile  banks  of  the  Brandywine  creek.  In  this  series,  however, 
not  a  single  individual  was  found  to  possess  a  trace  which  would  show 
in  the  northern  birds  a  fish-food  want.  A  Florida  fisherman,  during 
the  early  part  of  April,  1885,  caught  a  number  of  i;  perch  "  which 
spoiled  before  a  market  could  be  found  for  them.  The  decaying  car- 
casses were  tossed  into  the  river,  to  float  away  or  to  be  "  gobbled  up  " 
by  the  voracious  "  catties."  Several  of  these  defunct-  fishes  lodged 
among  the  shell  rocks  lining  the  banks.  Probably  an  hour  after  the 
cast-aways  had  lain  along  the  riverside,  three  Crow  Blackbirds  were 
seen — quoting  the  phraseology  of  a  "  cracker  "  who  was  present  at  the 
time — li  to  jine  de  fish  and  feast  'emselves  to  plum  fulness."  After 
the  departure  of  the  sable  visitants,  an  inspection  of  the  feeding-place 
revealed  that  the  birds  had  picked  out  the  eyes  of  seven,  or  all  but 
one  of  the  fishes,  three  of  which  were  considerably  torn  about  the 
abdominal  regions.  The  mutilated  condition  of  the  belly  muscles  is 


of  natural  size, 


Plate  30. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  183 

mainly  attributed  to  the  fact  that  the  fish  had  been  eviscerated  before 
having  been  thrown  away,  hence  these  incised  parts  were  more  ac- 
cessible to  mandibular  action  than  other  and  unbroken  parts  of  the 
scaly  anatomy.  Certainly,  there  is  no  obvious  reason  why  the  ab- 
dominal and  neighboring  pectoral  portions  of  a  "  perch  "  should  be 
more  palatable  to  the  sprightly  "  White-eyed  Jackdaw,"  as  the  native 
Floridians  are  accustomed  to  term  the  species. 


FAMILY  FRINGILLID^E.     FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

GENUS  CARPODACUS.     KAUP. 
517.  Carpodacus  purpureus  (GMEL.). 

Purple  Finch  :  Crimson  Finch. 

(Plate  SO.     Figs.  1  and  2.) 

Young  very  similar  to  female  adult,  but  duller,  some  individuals  slightly  red. 
Hab.—  Eastern  North  America,  from  the  Atlantic  coast  to  the  Plains.     Breeds  from 
the  Middle  States  northward. 

The  Crimson  Finch,  so-called  from  the  crimson-colored  dress  of  the 
adult  male,  is  about  as  large  as  the  common  English  Sparrow.  This 
species,  although  said  to  breed  occasionally  in  Pennsylvania,  does 
not,  according  to  my  observations,  occur  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  dur- 
ing the  summer  months.  I  have  found  these  birds  to  be  much  more 
numerous  in  the  spring  than  during  the  autumn  and  winter.  They 
are  found  chiefly  in  forests,  though  it  is  not  tmusual  to  see  them  about 
houses,  which  they  sometimes  visit  in  company  with  other  species  of 
Sparrows.  These  birds  are  mostly  observed  in  flocks;  in  winter, 
however,  it  is  not  uncommon  to  find  them  singly  or  in  pairs.  In  the 
spring  I  have  noticed  that  their  brown  and  cone-shaped  bills  are 
usually  covered  with  particles  of  buds  or  other  succulent  vegetable 
substances,  on  which  they  mainly  subsist  at  this  season ;  the  feathers 
of  the  forehead  and  throat  are  also  more  or  less  discolored  by  the 
juices  of  their  plant  food.  The  food  of  the  Crimson  Finch  is  made  up 
chiefly  of  vegetable  materials,  particularly  the  buds  and  blossoms  of 
different  forest,  fruit  and  shade  trees.  Various  kinds  of  small  seeds, 
as  well  as  berries  and  some  few  insects  are  also  eaten.  I  have  ex- 
amined the  stomach  contents  of  twenty -one  Purple  Finches  captured 
in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  in  the  latter  part  of  March,  during  April  and 
from  May  1  to  15.  Sixteen  of  these  birds  had  fed  exclusively  on  buds 
and  blossoms  ;  three,  small  seeds  ;  two,  beetles  and  flies  in  addition 
to  vegetable  matter.  In  this  locality  the  buds  of  the  beech  and 
maple  trees  constitute  a  very  large  proportion  of  their  diet.  Wilson 
writing  of  this  species  says  :  '•  This  is  a  winter  bird  of  passage,  coming 
to  us  in  large  flocks  from  the  north  in  September  and  October ;  great 


184  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

numbers  remaining  with  us  in  Pennsylvania  during  the  whole  winter, 
feeding  on  the  seeds  of  the  poplar,  buttonwood,  juniper,  cedar  and  on 
those  of  many  rank  weeds  that  flourish  in  rich  bottoms  and  along  the 
margins  of  creeks.  When  the  season  is  very  severe,  they  proceed  to 
the  south  as  far  at  least  as  Georgia,  returning  north  early  in  April. 
They  now  frequent  the  elm  trees,  feeding  on  the  slender  but  sweet 
covering  of  the  flowers ;  and,  as  soon  as  the  cherries  put  out  their 
blossoms,  feed  almost  exclusively  on  the  stamina  of  the  flowers ;  after- 
wards, the  apple  blossoms  are  attacked  in  the  same  manner;  and 
their  depredations  on  these  continue  till  they  disappear,  which  is- 
usually  about  the  10th  or  middle  of  May." 

GENUS  LOXIA.     LINNAEUS. 
521.  Loxia  curvirostra  minor  (BREHM.). 

American  Crossbill. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Bill,  feet  and  iris  dark-brown  ;  both  mandibles  sickle-shaped ;  points  of  upper 
and  lower  mandibles  cross  on  the  right  and  left.  Male,  dull-red  ;  darkest  across 
the  back  ;  wings  and  tail  dark,  blackish-brown.  Female,  dull,  greenish-olive  above 
each  feather  with  a  dusky  center ;  rump  and  crown  bright,  greenish-yellow ;  beneath 
greenish  ;  tinged,  especially  on  the  sides  of  body,  with  greenish-yellow.  The  im- 
mature birds  exhibit  all  imaginable  combinations  of  the  colors  of  the  male  and 
female.  They  all  agree  in  the  entire  absence  of  white  wing  bands.  Length  about  6 
inches,  extent  about  11  inches. 

Hab.—  Northern  North  America,  resident  sparingly  south  in  the  eastern  United 
States  to  Maryland  and  Tennessee  and  in  the  Alleghanies ;  irregularly  abundant  in 
winter  ;  resident  south  in  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  Colorado. 

Two  species  and  one  geographical  race,*  of  the  genus  Loxia  are 
found  in  North  America.  Both  species  occur  in  Pennsylvania. 
Crossbills,  as  the  name  would  indicate,  can,  by  their  bill  alone,  be 
known  from  all  other  of  our  feathered  visitants.  The  American  Cross- 
bill and  the  Whitewinged  species  (Loxia  leucoptera,  Gmel.)  may  be 
distinguished  without  difficulty,  if  you  remember  that  the  first-named 
never  has  white  bands  on  the  wings  and  the  other  species,  whether  in 
adult  or  immature  plumage,  has,  as  its  specific  name  signifies,  white 
wing  marks.  The  Crossbills,  inhabitants  chiefly  of  pine  forests,  are 
frequently  met  with,  during  autumn  and  winter  months,  in  various 
sections  of  this  Commonwealth.  The  American  Crossbill  breeds  in 
the  mountainous  regions  of  Pennsylvania;  its  nests  and  eggs,  Mr. 
Samuel  Ladd,  of  West  Chester,  informs  me,  have  been  found  early  in 
the  month  of  March  near  Pittston,  Pa.,  by  Dr.  Livingston  Hartman. 

*The  Mexican  Crossbill  (Loxia  curvirostra  siricklandi,  Ridgw.),  found  in  Colorado,  south- 
ern Arizona  and  the  table  lands  of  Mexico,  is  said  to  differ  from  the  American  Crossbill  in 
being  brighter  in  color  and  having  a  slightly  larger  bill ;  the  lower  mandible  especially  is  heavier 
than  that  of  L.  c.  minor. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  185 

The  nest  of  this  bird  is  said  to  be  built  usually  in  a  coniferous  tree 
and  composed  of  twigs,  strips  and  fibres  of  bark,  hair,  small  roots, 
grasses,  etc. ;  u  eggs  3-4, 0.75  by  0.57,  pale-greenish,  spotted  and  dotted 
about  larger  end  with  dark,  purplish-brown,  with  lavender  shell- 
markings." —  Coues.  The  Whitewinged  Crossbill,  from  all  the  informa- 
tion I  can  obtain,  does  not  build  in  this  State,  and  as  a  winter  visitant 
it  is  quite  rare.  Crossbills  are  nearly  always  to  be  found  in  flocks. 
"  Their  food  consists  principally  of  seeds  contained  in  the  cones  of 
different  species  of  the  pine  and  fir.  In  the  pine  forests  of  Pennsyl- 
vania I  saw  them  feeding  on  those  of  the  white  pine,  the  hemlock  and 
the  spruce,  as  well  as  on  various  kinds  of  fruits.  Wherever  an  apple 
tree  bore  fruit,  the  Crossbills  were  sure  to  be  on  it,  cutting  the  apples 
to  pieces  in  order  to  get  at  the  seeds,  in  the  manner  of  our  Parakeet 
of  the  south.  Nothing  can  exceed  the  dexterity  with  which  they 
extricate  the  seeds  from  the  cones  with  their  bill,  the  point  of  the 
upper  mandible,  which  they  employ  as  a  hook,  placing  it  at  the  base 
of  the  seed  and  drawing  it  up  with  a  sudden  jerk  of  the  head.  They 
frequently  stand  on  one  foot  only  and  employ  the  other  in  conveying 
the  food  to  their  bill,  in  the  manner  of  Parrots.  They  are  fond  of  all 
saline  matter/' — Audubon. 


GENUS  ACANTHIS.     BECHSTEIN. 
528.    Acanthis  linaria  (LINN.). 

Redpoll. 

DESCRIPTION. 

The  small  and  very  acute  bill  is  yellow,  a  dusky  streak  extends  backward  from 
point  of  each  mandible  ;  legs,  feet,  claws  and  iris  dark  ;  tail  deeply  forked.  Adult 
male.  Above  brownish-yellow,  each  feather  streaked  with  dark-brown  and  mar- 
gined with  grayish  ;  tail  and  wings  dusky  edged  with  whitish  ;  two  white-wing 
bars  ;  a  narrow  fronted  space,  throat  patch  and  bores  dull  black  (feathers  of  frontal 
region  sometimes  whitish).  Top  of  head  red  ;  breast  and  sides  more  or  less  colored 
with  red  ;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  streaked  with  white  and  dusky,  and  in  some 
specimens  tinged  with  pinkish  ;  lower  parts  generally  white  but  sides  and  under 
tail  coverts  have  dusky  streaks.  Female.— Very  similar  to  male,  but  breast  is 
usually  of  a  yellowish  tint  and  not  red  ;  top  of  head  red  but  not  as  bright  as  in  male. 
The  red  on  top  of  head  of  young  male  is  often  of  a  coppery  hue.  Length  about  5| 
inches  ;  extent  about  9  inches. 

Hab. — Northern  portions  of  Northern  Hemisphere,  south  irregularly  in  winter,  in 
North  America,  to  the  Middle  United  States  (Washington,  D.  C.,  Kansas,  south- 
eastern Oregon). 

The  Redpoll,  a  native  of  high  northern  latitudes,  occurs  in  Penn- 
sylvania only  as  an  irregular  and  occasional  winter  visitant.  Red- 
polls were  exceedingly  abundant  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania  in  the 
winter  of  1878-79,  at  which  time  they  were  observed  about  fields  and 
houses  in  flocks  of  from  20  to  200  or  more.  Since  the  date  above 
mentioned  I  have  not  seen  this  species  in  this  locality.  The  note  of 


186  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

the  Redpoll  is  very  similar  to  that  of  American  Goldfinch  ( Spinus 
tristis.  Linn.).  The  food,  during  their  sojourn  with  us,  consists  almost 
entirely  of  seeds  of  various  grasses  and  weeds ;  the  buds  of  different 
trees  and  some  few  insects  are  also  eaten. 


GENUS  SPINUS.    KOCH. 
529.  Spinus  tristis  (LINN.). 

American     Goldfinch;      Salad-bird;      Wild-canary;     Yellow-bird; 
Thistle-bird. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  SL  Fig.  I,  adult  male  in  summer.) 

Legs,  feet  and  bill  flesh  color;  iris  brown.  The  male  in  early  autumn  loses  his 
black  cap,  and  his  bright  yellow  upper  and  lower  parts  change  to  a  dull  brownish 
or  greenish  yellow,  similar  to  the  general  plumage  of  the  female.  The  male  in  win 
ter  may  often  be  distinguished  by  the  darker  tail  and  wing  feathers  with  their  more 
conspicuous  white  or  whitish  markings. 

Female. — No  black  cap ;  upper  parts  olivaceous  ;  wings  and  tail  dusky,  marked 
with  whitish  as  in  male ;  lower  parts  whitish,  more  or  less  tinged  with  yellowish. 

Young. — Like  winter  adults,  but  duller  in  color.  Length  about  5|  inches  ;  extent 
about  9  inches. 

Hab. — North  America  generally,  breeding  southward  to  the  middle  districts  of 
the  United  States  (to  about  the  Potomac  and  Ohio  rivers,  Kansas  and  California), 
and  wintering  mostly  south  of  the  northern  boundary  of  the  United  States. 

The  American  Goldfinch  is  a  common  resident  in  Pennsylvania 
during  all  seasons.  These  birds  are  usually  observed  in  flocks  which 
move  from  one  locality  to  another  as  their  food  diminishes.  Even  in 
the  breeding  season  (June,  July  and  August),  it  is  not  uncommon  to 
find  several  families  nesting  within  a  short  distance  of  each  other. 
The  males  in  summer  frequently  associate  in  small  flocks.  The  nest,  an 
exceedingly  neat  and  beautiful  cup-shaped  structure,  is  composed  ex- 
ternaUy  of  various  pliant  plant  substances,  and  lined  inside  with  downy 
materials  chiefly  of  a  vegetable  character;  it  is  placed  usually  in  the 
crotch  of  a  small  tree  in  the  orchard,  garden,  or  along  the  roadside.  I 
have  mostly  found  their  nests  in  the  vicinity  of  West  Chester,  in  small 
hickory  and  maple  trees.  Eggs  commonly  five,  white,  with  faint  blue- 
ish  tint,  .66  by  .50.  This  Goldfinch,  particularized  by  naturalists  as 
tristis*  from  its  low  and  plaintive  notes,  is  known  by  a  number  of 
common  names  which  have  reference  either  to  his  color  or  the  seeds, 
etc.,  of  plants  on  which  he  feeds.  These  birds  subsist  mainly  on  veg- 
etable materials,  particularly  different  kinds  of  small  seeds  of  grass, 
weeds,  cultivated  flowers,  etc.  The  Salad-bird,  like  the  Crimson 
Finch,  is  fond  of  feasting  on  the  blossoms  of  apple,  cherry  and  maple 
trees;  the  seeds  of  the  dandelion,  thistle  and  sunflower  enter  largely 
into  their  bill  of  fare.  During  the  summer  months,  especially  when 
they  have  young,  the  food  consists  principally  of  insects,  such  as  small 


of  natural  size. 


Plate   31. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  187 

beetles,  plant-lice,  different  species  of  flies  and  small  grasshoppers; 
also  small  larvae. 

533.  Spinus  pinus  (WiLS.). 

Pine  Siskin ;  Pine  Finch. 

(Plate  SI.    Fig.  2.    Male.) 

Bill  very  acute ;  bill,  feet  and  iris  brown  ;  tail  forked  ;  above  brownish-olive ;  be- 
neath whitish,  every  feather  streaked  distinctly  with  dusky  ;  concealed  bases  of  tail 
feathers  and  quills,  together  with  their  inner  edges,  sulphur-yellow  ;  outer  edges  of 
quills  and  tail  feathers  yellowish-green  ;  two  brownish-white  bands  on  the  wing ; 
a  bright  yellow  spot  in  some  specimens  back  of  posterior  wing-band. 

Young. — Similar  to  adults  but  more  rusty-brown.  Length  about  4.80  inches  ;  ex- 
tent about  8.75  inches. 

Hob. — North  America  generally,  breeding  mostly  north  of  the  United  States  and 
and  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  ;  in  winter  south  to  the  Gulf  States  and  Mexico. 

The  Pine  Finch  is  a  common  winter  resident  in  Pennsylvania.  It 
arrives  in  this  region  early  in  October  and  departs  usually  in  April. 
These  birds  are  found  mostly  in  flocks  of  twenty  to  thirty  each  ;  often- 
times solitary  individuals  or  pairs  are  seen  in  company  with  Snow- 
birds and  different  species  of  Sparrows.  As  its  specific  name  would 
indicate  it  delights  especially  to  dwell  in  pine  forests.  They  feed  on 
on  small  seeds,  cones  of  different  pines,  small  berries,  some  few  in- 
sects, and  also,  to  a  small  extent,  on  buds  of  maple  and  other  trees. 

GENUS  PLECTROPHENAX.     STEJNEGER. 

534.  Plectrophenax  nivalis  (LiNN.). 

Snowflake;  Snow  Banting. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Colors,  in  full  plumage,  entirely  black  and  white ;  middle  of  back  between  scapu- 
lars, terminal  half  of  primaries  and  tertiaries,  and  two  innermost  tail  feathers,  black  ; 
elsewhere  pure-white  ;  legs  black  at  all  seasons  ;  bill  black.  In  winter  dress  white 
beneath  ;  the  head  and  rump  yellowish-brown,  as  also  some  blotches  on  the  side  of 
the  breast ;  middle  of  back  brown,  streaked  with  black ;  white  on  wings  and  tail 
much  more  restricted  ;  bill  brownish  yellow,  darker  at  point ;  iris  brown. 

This  species  varies  much  in  color  ;  and  the  male  in  full  plumage  is  seldom,  if  ever, 
seen  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States. 

Length,  about  7  inches  ;  extent,  about  V2\  inches  ;  female  smaller. 

Hab. — Northern  parts  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  in  the  Arctic  regions ; 
in  North  America,  south  in  winter  into  the  northern  United  States,  irregularly  to 
Georgia,  southern  Illinois  and  Kansas. 

This  beautiful  bird,  readily  recognized  by  its  white  and  rusty  plum- 
age occurs  in  Pennsylvania  only  as  an  occasional  winter  visitant. 
When  found  in  this  latitude  Snow  Buntings  are  usually  seen  in  flocks, 
which  sometimes  number  a  hundred  or  over.  The  Snow  Bunting 
during  its  stay  in  this  region  subsists  mainly  on  seeds  of  various 
weeds,  grasses,  etc.,  which  it  finds  in  fields  and  meadows. 


188  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GENUS  POOC-3ETES.     BAIRD. 
540.  Poocaetes  gramineus  (GMEL.). 

Vesper  Sparrow;  Grass  Finch;  Bay-winged  Bunting. 

(Plate  32,  Fig.  J.) 

Length,  about  6  inches ;  extent,  about  10  inches. 

Hab.— Eastern  North  America  to  the  Plains,  from  Nova  Scotia  and  Ontario  south- 
ward ;  breeds  from  Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  Missouri  northward. 

The  Bay-winged  Bunting  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  during  the  winter  months  is  quite  frequently  to  be  met 
with  in  the  southern  portions  of  the  State.  This  plainly  attired 
songster  may  readily  be  recognized  from  other  of  the  FringillidcB  by 
the  bright  chestnut  colored  lesser- wing  coverts  and  the  white  lateral 
tail  feathers, — the  latter  being  most  conspicuous  when  the  bird  is  fly- 
ing. These  birds  inhabit  chiefly  dry  pasture  fields  and  meadows ; 
they  visit  plowed  grounds,  and  are  frequently  to  be  observed  perched 
on  fence-rails  in  fields  or  along  the  roadsides,  and  as  Nuttall  remarks, 
they  are  fond  of  dusting  themselves  and  basking  in  dry  places.  Al- 
though the  Vesper  Sparrow  is  mainly  terrestrial  in  habits,  he  may 
often  be  seen  searching  most  industriously  in  apple  trees  for  various 
forms  of  insect-life.  These  birds,  when  not  engaged  in  breeding,  are 
more  or  less  gregarious  and  are  often  seen  in  company  with  other 
sparrows.  The  nest,  composed  of  dried  grasses,  is  built  in  a  depres- 
sion in  the  ground.  The  top  of  the  nest  is  generally  on  a  level  with 
the  hollow  in  which  it  rests;  sometimes  it  is  partly  concealed  by 
overhanging  grasses ;  eggs,  four  to  five,  grayish- white  or  rusty  brown, 
spotted,  lined  and  blotched  with  brown  and  black;  about  .83  of  an 
inch  long  and  .60  of  an  inch  wide. 

Bay-winged  Buntings  subsist  principally  on  seeds  of  grasses,  weeds 
and  other  plants.  During  the  summer  they  feed  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent on  beetles,  flies,  spiders,  earthworms,  and  various  larvae ;  they 
likewise  eat  strawberries,  mulberries,  blackberries,  and  according  to 
Mr.  Gentry,  the  fruit  of  the  wild  choke-cheny.  The  buds  of  apple, 
beech  and  maple  trees  are  also  occasionally  fed  upon. 

GENUS  AMMODRAMUS.     SWAINSON. 
542#.    Ammodramus  santiwichensis  savanna  (WiLS.). 

Savanna  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Feathers  of  the  upper  parts  generally  with  a  central  streak  of  blackish-brown  ;  the 
streaks  of  the  back  with  a  slight  rufous  suffusion  laterally  ;  the  feathers  edged  with 
gray,  which  is  lightest  on  the  scapulars;  crown  with  a  broad  median  stripe  of  yel- 
lowish-gray ;  a  superciliary  streak  from  the  bill  to  the  back  of  the  head,  eyelids,  and 


I  of  natural  size. 


Plate  32. 


aii&ut. 


Males. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  189 

edge  of  the  wing,  yellow ;  a  yellowish-white  maxillary  stripe  curving  behind  the 
ear  coverts,  and  margined  above  and  below  by  brown  ;  the  lower  margin  is  a  series 
of  thickly  crowded  spots  on  the  sides  of  the  throat,  which  are  also  found  on  the  sides 
of  the  neck,  across  the  upper  part  of  the  breast,  and  on  the  sides  of  the  body  ;  a  few 
spots  on  the  throat  and  chin;  rest  of  under  parts  Avhite ;  tarsus  flesh  color;  feet 
brown  ;  iris  dark  brown.  Length  about  5.25  inches  ;  extent  about  8.75. 

ffab. — Eastern  Province  of  North  America,  breeding  from  the  northern  United 
States  to  Labrador  and  Hudson's  Bay  Territory. 

The  Savanna  Sparrow  is  a  moderately  abundant  spring  and  fall 
migrant  in  eastern  Pennsylvania.  During  mild  winters  it  is  not  un- 
usual to  find  this  species  in  the  southern  portions  of  this  State ;  or- 
dinarily, however,  these  birds  arrive  in  Pennsylvania  about  April  1, 
and  in  pairs  or  parties  of  five  or  six,  may  be  found  frequenting 
chiefly  low,  damp  ground  in  open  fields  (along  fences), meadows,  and 
the  borders  of  grassy  ponds  and  pools.  I  have  never  observed  this 
sparrow,  in  the  spring,  later  than  April  25.  This  bird  is  seldom  seen 
to  perch  on  trees  or  bushes,  sometimes,  though  not  often,  he  may  be 
observed  to  alight  on  the  lowermost  rails  of  fences.  When  passing 
southward  the  Savanna  Sparrows  make  their  appearance  in  this  local- 
ity about  the  middle  of  September.  Their  food  consists  principally 
of  different  kinds  of  small  seeds,  also  small  beetles,  grasshoppers, 
spiders,  ants  and  small  mollusks. 


546.    Ammodramus  savannarum  passerinus  (WiLS.). 

Grasshopper  Sparrow;  Yellow-winged  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  32,  Fig.  3,  male.) 

Bill  stout ;  legs  flesh  color ;  iris  brown  ;  tail  double-rounded.  Above  brownish- 
rufous,  margined  narrowly  and  abruptly  with  ash  color  ;  reddest  on  lower  part  of 
back  and  rump ;  the  feathers  all  abruptly  black  in  the  central  portion  ;  this  color 
visible  on  the  interscapular  region,  where  the  rufous  is  more  restricted  ;  crown  black- 
ish, with  a  central  and  superciliary  stripe  of  yellowish  tinged  with  brown,  brightest 
in  front  of  the  eye;  bend  of  the  wing  bright  yellow;  lesser  coverts  tinged  with 
greenish-yellow  ;  quills  and  tail  feathers  edged  with  whitish  ;  tertiaries  much  varie. 
gated ;  lower  parts  brownish-yellow ;  belly  white  or  nearly  so ;  feathers  of  upper 
breast  and  sides  of  body  with  absolutely  darker  centers. 

Young.— Very  similar  to  adult ;  upper  part  of  breast  streaked  with  dark  brown, 
much  more  distinct  than  in  the  adult,  and  exhibiting  a  close  resemblance  to  A.  hens- 
lowii.  Feathers  of  upper  parts  with  less  brownish  rufous  but  more  ashy  edgings. 
Length  about  5  inches ;  extent  about  8  inches. 

Hab. — Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada  to  the  plains,  south  to  Florida, 
Cuba,  Porto  Rico  and  coast  of  Central  America. 

This  bird  is  irregularly  distributed.  In  the  southern  and  south- 
eastern portions  of  our  State  it  is  quite  common  from  about  May  1  to 
the  middle  of  September.  In  Crawford  and  Erie  counties,  or  in  the 
extreme  north-western  part  of  this  Commonwealth  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sen- 
nett  has  found  it  to  be  a  rare  summer  sojourner.  It  is  reported  to  be 
a  somewhat  common  summer  resident  in  central  Pennsylvania.  The 


190  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

name  Grasshopper  Sparrow  is  given  because  its  note  bears  a  very 
close  resemblance  to  that  of  the  grasshopper.  In  Chester  and  the 
neighboring  counties,  this  bird  is  a  common  frequenter  of  dry  sandy 
meadows,  clover  and  grass  fields,  about  which  it  may  often  be  seen 
perched  on  the  top  of  low  weeds  or  on  posts  and  fence  rails.  This  is 
one  of  the  Sparrows,  to  be  seen  in  the  summer  time  perched  on  the 
fences  along  the  roadsides.  I  have  never  observed  a  bird  of  this 
species  alight  in  a  tree,  and  it  rarely  is  seen  to  perch  on  bushes.  The 
nest  is  built  on  the  ground,  and  is  usually  concealed  by  a  tuft  of  grass 
or  a  bunch  of  weeds.  It  is  composed  of  dry  grasses,  horse  hair  and 
fine  roots;  eggs,  4  or  5,  white  with  reddish-brown  spots,  .72  length  by 
.61  breadth. 

The  Yellow- winged  Sparrow,  during  its  residence  with  us,  feeds 
principally  on  different  kinds  of  insect  life ;  the  small  seeds  of  various 
plants,  grasses  and  weeds  are  also  taken.  Beetles,  grasshoppers,  flies, 
earthworms,  etc.,  are  eaten  in  large  numbers ;  the  young,  when  in 
charge  of  the  parents,  are  fed  chiefly  on  spiders  and  larvae. 

GENUS   ZONOTRICHIA.     SWAINSON. 
558.    Zonotrichia  albicollis  (GMEL.). 

White-throated  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Two  black  stripes  on  the  crown  separated  by  a  median  one  of  white  ;  a  broad  sup- 
erciliary stripe  from  the  base  of  the  mandible  to  the  occiput,  yellow  as  far  as  the 
middle  of  the  eye  and  white  behind  this ;  a  broad  black  streak  on  the  side  of  the 
head  from  behind  the  eye ;  chin  white,  abruptly  defined  against  the  dark  ash  of  the 
sides  of  the  head  and  upper  part  of  the  breast,  fading  into  white  on  the  belly,  and 
margined  by  a  narrow  black  maxillary  line  ;  edge  of  wing  and  axillaries  yellow ; 
back  and  edges  of  secondaries  rufous-brown,  the  former  streaked  with  dark-brown  ; 
two  narrow  white  bands  across  the  wing  coverts ;  iris  brown  ;  legs  light-brown. 

Female  smaller,  and  the  colors  rather  duller.  Immature  and  winter  specimens 
have  the  white  chin-patch  less  abruptly  denned ;  the  white  markings  on  the  top  and 
sides  of  the  head  tinged  with  brown. 

Young. — Black  stripes  of  head  replaced  by  brown  ;  median  stripe  dull  whitish  or 
brownish ;  line  over  eye  brownish ;  little  or  no  yellow  over  and  in  front  of  eye ; 
throat  indistinctly  whitish  ;  conspicuous  dusky  lines  on  breast  and  sides.  Length 
about  7  inches  ;  extent  about  9£. 

Hob. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  plains,  north  to  Labrador  and  the  fur 
countries.  Breeds  in  northern  Michigan,  northern  New  York  and  northern  New 
England,  and  winters  from  the  Middle  States  southward. 

This  beautiful  Sparrow,  one  of  our  most  common  spring  and  fall 
migrants,  is  found  usually  in  small  flocks  about  woods,  apple  orchards, 
gardens  and  shrubbery.  In  the  spring,  particularly  in  April  and  the 
early  part  of  May,  the  White-throats  subsist  largely,  indeed  chiefly, 
on  the  buds  and  blossoms  of  the  apple,  beech  and  maple  trees.  Dur- 
ing their  vernal  migrations  they  may  be  observed,  singly  or  in  flocks, 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  191 

devouring  the  tender  growths  of  beech  trees,  along  the  edges  of  woods^ 
particularly  those  in  the  neighborhood  of  running  streams.  While  it 
is  true  that  the  buds  and  blossoms  of  apple,  maple  and  some  few  other 
trees  are  eaten,  I  am  quite  certain  that  their  favorite  articles  of  diet, 
in  the  way  of  buds  and  blossoms,  are  those  of  the  beech  trees.  The 
damage  which  these  birds  do  to  apple  or  other  fruit  trees  is  so  trifling 
that  the  farmer  or  fruit  grower  should  not  be  prejudiced  against  them. 
This  species  feeds  also  on.  various  small  seeds  and  different  insects. 


GENUS  SPIZEKLA.     BONAPARTE. 
559.    Spizella  monticola  (GMEL.). 

Tree  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Middle  of  back  with  the  feathers  dark-brown  centrally,  then  rufous,  and  edged 
with  pale-fulvous  (sometimes  with  whitish).  Crown  and  upper  part  of  nape  con- 
tinuous chestnut ;  the  crown  feathers  are  sometimes  bordered  with  gray;  aline  of 
chestnut  from  behind  the  eye ;  sides  of  head  and  neck  ashy ;  a  broad  light  super- 
ciliary band  ;  beneath  whitish,  with  a  small  circular  blqtch  of  brownish  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  breast ;  edges  of  tail  feathers,  primary  quills  and  two  bands  across  the 
tips  of  the  secondaries,  white  ;  tertiaries  nearly  black  ;  edged  externally  with  rufous, 
turning  to  white  near  the  tips  ;  upper  bill  dark  brown,  lower  yellow  ;  legs  and  eyes 
brown  ;  toes  black.  Length  about  6  inches  ;  extent  about  9£  inches. 

Hab.— Eastern  North  America,  westward  to  the  plains,  and  from  the  Arctic  ocean 
south  ;  in  winter,  to  the  Carolinas,  Kentucky  and  eastern  Kansas.  Breeds  north  of 
the  United  States,  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

This  hardy  Sparrow,  the  largest  of  the  genus,  is  an  abundant  winter 
resident  from  late  in  October  to  about  the  middle  of  April.  We  find 
them  in  flocks,  often  in  company  with  Snowbirds  and  other  Sparrows, 
frequenting  briery  thickets,  shrubbery,  old  fields  where  various  weeds 
abound,  and  about  hedge  rows.  Weedy  spots  near  the  edge  of  woods, 
or  similar  situations  in  or  near  briery  places  along  the  borders  of  small 
creeks  are  also  favorite  feeding  grounds  for  them.  The  food  of  this 
species  during  its  stay  with  us,  consists  almost  entirely  of  the  seeds  of 
various  weeds,  grasses,  etc.;  cedar  berries  and  wild  grapes  are  also 
sometimes  fed  upon.  I  have  never  known  the  Tree  Sparrow  to  dis- 
turb the  buds  or  blossoms  of  any  trees  or  bushes,  as  some  writers  as 
sert,  it  is  accustomed  to  do  in  the  spring  before  migrating  northward. 
The  name  of  Tree  Sparrow  is  given,  not  because  the  bird  is  always 
found  in  trees  or  bushes,  but  from  its  common  habit  of  flying  from  the 
ground  or  thickets  into  trees  when  disturbed.  This  bird  not  only  fre- 
quently nests  on  the  ground,  but  likewise  collects  the  greater  portion 
of  its  food  from  the  earth. 


192  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

560.  Spizella  socialis  (WiLS.). 

Chipping  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  SO;  Fig.  3,  male.) 

Rump,  back  of  neck,  and  sides  of  neck  and  head,  ashy  ;  interscapular  region  with 
black  streaks,  margined  with  pale-rufous  ;  crown  continuous  and  uniform  chestnut ; 
forehead  black,  separated  in  the  middle  by  white  ;  a  white  streak  over  the  eye,  and 
a  black  one  from  the  base  of  the  bill  through  and  behind  the  eye  ;  under  parts  un- 
spotted whitish,  tinged  with  ashy,  especially  across  the  upper  breast ;  tail  feathers 
and  primaries  edged  with  paler,  not  white  ;  two  narrow  white  bands  across  the  wing 
coverts ;  bill  dark  brown  or  black  ;  legs  light  brown  ;  eyes  brown. 

Young. — Crown  brownish,  streaked  with  blackish,  streak  over  eye  yellowish 
white  ;  breast  and  sides  with  dusky  lines ;  bill  light  brown.  Length  about  5^  inches ; 
extent  about  8|  inches. 

ffab. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  north  to  Great  Slave 
Lake,  and  south  to  Eastern  Mexico. 

The  Chipping  Sparrow,  so  named  from  its  note,  is  an  abundant  sum- 
mer resident  from  early  in  April  to  the  latter  part  of  October.  In  the 
spring  these  birds  are  generally  seen  singly  or  in  pairs ;  in  the  late 
summer  and  fall  the  adults  and  young  collect  together  and  are  to  be 
found  in  flocks  in  company  with  other  species,  especially  the  Field 
and  Vesper  Sparrows.  Chipping  Sparrows  are  common  frequenters 
about  the  habitations  of  man  during  the  breeding  season,  but  after 
rearing  their  young  they  repair  to  fields  and  bushes  preparatory  to 
migrating  southward.  The  nest  which  is  built  in  trees,  or  shrubbery, 
is  made  up  of  dried  grasses,  or  other  fine  vegetable  materials,  and  lined 
with  horse  hair.  The  bluish-green  eggs,  4  or  5  in  number,  are  marked, 
usually  on  the  larger  end  with  a  ring  of  purplish  and  blackish-brown 
spots.  They  measure  about  .70  by  .55  of  an  inch. 

This  species,  in  the  early  spring  and  autumn,  subsists  principally  on 
the  small  seeds  of  different  weeds  and  grasses ;  in  the  summer  months 
both  the  adults  and  young  feed  mainly  on  an  insect  diet,  small  beetles, 
ants,  flies,  spiders  and  numerous  small  "  worms  "  are  eagerly  devoured. 
Pieces  of  bread,  cake,  or  small  particles  of  meat,  are  also  eaten  with 
apparent  relish. 

563.  Spizella  pusilla  (WiLS.). 

Field  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  32;  Fig.  2,  male.) 

Bill  light  reddish-brown  ;  legs  pale  brown  ;  iris  brown  ;  crown  dull  chestn ut ;  back 
somewhat  similar,  streaked  with  blackish  ;  sides  of  head  and  neck  (including  a  su- 
perciliary stripe)  ashy  ;  ear  coverts  rufous ;  beneath  white,  tinged  with  yellowish 
anteriorly ;  tail  feathers  and  quills  faintly  edged  with  white  ;  two  white  bands  across 
the  wing  coverts.  This  species  is  about  the  size  of  the  Chipping  Sparrow,  but  is  more 
rufous  above  ;  lacks  the  black  forehead  and  eye-stripe  ;  has  chestnut  ears  instead  of 
ash  ;  the  bill  is  reddish  instead  of  blackish  ;  lacks  the  clear  ash  of  the  rump  ;  has  the 
tail  longer.  It  is  much  smaller  than  the  Tree  Sparrow  which  it  approaches  in  colors 
but  lacks  the  breast  spot  and  predominance  of  white  on  the  wings. 


•i  of  natural  size 


Plate  33. 


Male  and  Feniali'. 


Male  and  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  193 

Young. — Colors  similar  to  adult  but  duller,  breast  and  sides  more  or  less  streaked 
•with  dusky.  Length  about  5j  inches  ;  extent  about  8  inches. 

flab. — Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to  the  plains. 

Common  summer  resident  from  April  to  November,  and  during  mild 
winters  a  few  of  these  birds  are  sometimes  found  with  us.  The  Field 
Sparrow  as  its  name  signifies  is  a  frequenter  of  fields;  it  delights  es- 
pecially to  inhabit  sandy  weed-grown  fields  or  other  uncultivated  areas 
where  numerous  small  bushes  particularly  wild  roses  are  growing. 
Its  somewhat  mournful,  yet  sweet  and  entertaining  song  may  be  heard 
.at  all  times  of  the  day.  The  nest  is  built  on  the  ground  or  in  low 
bushes,  and  is  composed  chiefly  of  grasses,  leaves  and  hair ;  eggs,  4  or 
5  ;  white,  spotted  with  reddish  brown,  measure  about  .70  by  .50  of  an 
inch.  In  the  early  spring,  fall  and  winter  months,  this  species  feeds 
mainly  on  small  seeds  of  various  weeds  and  grasses.  In  summer  the  old 
and  young  subsist  largely  on  different  forms  of  insect  life,  such  as  small 
beetles,flies,  ants,  spiders,  grasshoppers,  crickets,  earth  worms,and  differ- 
ent larvae.  They  also  feed  on  raspberries,  blackberries,  and  other  similar 
soft  fruits ;  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  the  bill  and  feathers  about  the 
head  and  npck  of  this  bird  more  or  less  discolored  by  the  juices  of 
such  fruit. 

GENUS  JUNCO.     WAGLER. 
567.  Junco  hy emails  (Lixx.). 

Slate-colored  Snowbird. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  33;  Figs.  3  and  4,  male  and  female.) 

Everywhere  of  a  grayish  or  dark  ashy-black,  deepest  anteriorally  ;  the  middle  of 
the  breast  behind  and  of  the  belly,  the  under  tail  coverts,  and  first  and  second  ex- 
ternal tail  feathers,  white  ;  the  third  tail  feather  white  ;  legs  light  brown  ;  bill  flesh- 
color,  with  black  tip  ;  iris  brown.  In  the  female  and  immature  birds,  taken  in  the 
i'all  and  winter,  the  upper  parts  are  more  or  less  tinged  with  brownish.  Length, 
iabout  65  inches  ;  extent,  about  9£  inches. 

Flab. — North  America  at  large,  but  chiefly  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  breeding 
from  the  higher  parts  of  the  Alleghenies  and  northern  New  York  and  northern 
New  England  northward.  South  in  winter  to  the  Gulf  States. 

The  Snowbird  is  found  generally  throughout  this  State  as  a  common 
winter  resident  from  early  in  October  until  the  latter  part  of  April.  It 
breeds  sparingly  in  some  sections  of  the  northern  and  north-western 
parts  of  Pennsylvania.  This  well-known  species  can  readily  be  recog- 
nized by  its  whitish  bill,  the  dark  colored  head,  neck,  back  and  throat, 
its  white  under  parts  and  the  white  lateral  tail  feathers,  the  latter 
being  most  conspicuous  when  the  bird  is  flying.  Although  these 
birds  are  found  in  all  places,  they  are  most  plentiful  in  bushes,  along 
the  banks  of  streams,  old  weed- grown  fields,  fence-rows  and  bushy 
tracts  about  the  margins  of  woods.  The  nest,  composed  of  dried 
13  BIRDS. 


194  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

grasses,  roots,  etc..  lined  with  various  soft  materials,  is  placed  on  the 
ground.  The  eggs,  according  to  Dr.  Coues,  number  vtfour  or  six, 
white,  sprinkled  with  reddish  and  darker  brown  dots,  about  .80  by  .60." 
During  the  fall,  winter  and  spring  Snowbirds  feed  almost  entirely  on 
seeds  of  divers  weeds  and  grasses.  Like  the  Chippy,  this  bird  often 
is  seen  about  houses,  ready  to  pick  up  crumbs,  etc.,  which  are  thrown 
out, 

GENUS  PASSER.    BRISSON. 
Passer  domesticus  (LINN.). 

English  Sparrow  ;  European  House  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION.     {Plate  S3;  Figs.  1  and  2,  male  and  female.) 

Male. — Bill  black,  legs,  feet  and  eyes  brown  ;  above  reddish  brown,  the  back 
streaked  with  black  ;  crown  and  under  parts  brownish  ash  ;  chin  and  throat  black  ; 
white  wing-bar;  a  large  patch  of  chestnut  on  each  side  of  head,  commencing  over 
and  back  of  eyes  and  speading  backwards  to  sides  of  neck ;  lessor  wing  coverts 
bright  chestnut. 

Female. — Duller  colored  and  lacking  the  black  on  chin  and  throat ;  pale  brown 
strioe  back  of  eyes  ;  bill  dark  brown,  lower  mandible  yellowish  at  base. 

Young. — Very  similar  to  {female  but  often  recognizable  by  a  few  black  patches  on 
throat  and  chin. 

Hub. — Europe,  etc.  Introduced  about  twenty  years  ago  into  the  United  States, 
where  it  has  become  naturalized  in  nearly  all  inhabited  districts. 

Abundant  resident  about  buildings.  Nests  in  bird  boxes,  holes  in 
trees,  on  branches  of  trees,  in  vines  and  in  various  places  about  houses 
and  other  buildings.  The  nest  is  composed  of  dried  grasses,  pieces  of 
string,  etc.,  lined  with  an  abundance  of  feathers.  The  dull-whitish 
eggs,  from  four  to  seven  in  number,  are  thickly  spotted  and  streaked 
with  different  shades  of  brown.  They  measure  about  .90  by  .62  of  an 
inch.  In  this  locality  at  least  two,  and  probably  more,  broods  are 
reared  in  a  season.  The  English  Sparrow,  as  this  species  is  commonly 
known  throughout  the  United  States,  is  universally  despised  by 
farmers,  fruit-growers  and  naturalists  because  of  its  pernicious  habits. 
In  the  spring  it  feeds  largely  on  the  fruit  buds  of  trees,  bushes  and 
vines,  chief  among  which  may  be  mentioned  the  pear,  apple,  peach, 
plum,  cherry,  currant  and  grape.  Different  garden  products,  such  as 
lettuce,  beans,  peas,  cabbage,  berries,  pears,  apples  and  grapes  are 
greedily  fed  upon.  The  Sparrow  greatly  damages  the  corn  crop, 
tearing  open  the  husks,  devouring  the  tender  part  of  the  ear  and  ex- 
posing the  remainder  to  the  ravages  of  insects  and  to  atmospheric 
changes.  It  alights  on  fields  of  wheat,  oats  and  barley,  consuming 
a  large  quantity,  and,  by  swaying  to  and  fro  on  the  slender  stalks  and 
flapping  its  wings,  showers  the  remainder  on  the  ground.  In  addition 
to  a  much  varied  vegetable  diet,  the  Sparrow  has  been  known  to  kill 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  195 

and  devour  the  young  of  other  small  birds.  Our  native  song  and 
insectivorous  birds,  viz :  the  Robin,  Bluebird,  Wren,  Chippy,  Song 
Sparrow,  Red-eyed  Vireos  and  some  few  others,  which  were  formerly 
plentiful  residents  in  our  lawns,  parks  and  gardens,  have  rapidly  and 
steadily  diminished  since  the  hosts  of  pugnacious  Sparrows  have  ap- 
peared. This  species  is  more  or  less  gregarious  at  all  seasons  of  t  he  year. 
When  not  engaged  in  rearing  their  young  they  are  always  observed 
in  Hocks.  In  the  late  summer  and  autumn,  they  assemble  in  flocks 
of  hundreds  and  daily  repair  to  the  wheat  and  corn  fields  in  the 
vicinity  of  cities  and  towns,  where  they  commit  serious  depredations, 
that  are  only  checked  by  harvesting  the  crops.  In  1S83,  the  members 
of  the  West  Chester  Microscopical  Society,  and  several  farmers'  clubs 
of  Chester.  Delaware  and  Lancaster  counties,  recognizing  the  great 
injury  which  was  being  done  by  this  feathered  pest,  passed  resolu- 
tions and  petitioned  our  Legislature,  then  in  session,  to  repeal  that 
portion  of  the  act  of  Assembly  which  made  it  a  misdemeanor  to  kill 
the  English  Sparrow.  Through  the  prompt  and  energetic  efforts  of 
Senators  A.  D.  Harlan,  of  Chester  county,  and  Thomas  Y.  Cooper,  of 
Delaware  county,  the  law  was  so  amended  that  the  killing  of  English 
Sparrows,  and  the  destroying  of  their  nests,  eggs  or  young  at  all  sea- 
sons of  the  year,  is  now  legalized. 

GENUS  MELOSPIZA.     BATED. 
581.  Melospiza  fasciata  (GMEL.). 

Song  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  30;  Fig.  4,  male.) 

Bill,  legs,  feet  and  eyes  brown  ;  general  tint  of  upper  parts  rufous-brown,  streased 
with  dark-brown  and  ashy-gray  ;  the  crown  is  rufous,  with  a  superciliary  and  median 
stripo  of  dull-gray,  the  former  lighter ;  nearly  white  anteriorly,  where  it  has  a  faint 
shade  of  yellow  ;  each  feather  of  the  crown  with  a  narrow  streak  of  dark-brown ; 
intcrscapulars  dark-brown  in  the  center,  then  rufous,  then  grayish  on  the  margin  ; 
rump  grayer  than  than  upper  tail  coverts,  both  with  obsolete  dark  streaks ;  there  is 
a  whitish  maxillary  stripe,  bordered  above  and  below  by  one  of  dark  rufous-brown, 
with  a  similar  0110  from  behind  the  eye  ;  the  under  parts  are*  white  ;  the  breast  and 
sides  of  body  and  throat  streaked  with  dark-rufous,  with  a  still  darker  center  line; 
on  the  middle  of  the  breast  these  marks  are  rather  aggregated  so  as  to  form  a  spot ; 
no  distinct  white  on  tail  or  wings.  Young  differ  from  the  adults  chiefly  in  having 
the  under  parts  more  or  less  yellowish,  Length,  about  GI  inches  ;  extent,  about  8j 
inches. 

Hob. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  breeding  from  Virginia  and  the  north- 
ern portion  of  the  Lake  States  northward. 

Common  resident,  but  never  seen  in  flocks.  Frequents  in  the  sum- 
mer, fence  rows,  shubbery  in  swamps,  fields  and  gardens.  Although 
this  species  is  found  during  the  summer  about  bushy,  briery  and 
weed- grown  places  along  streams,  ponds,  ditches,  etc.,  it  is  most 
abundant  in  these  last  named  localities  during  the  winter.  The 


196  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

appellation  Song  Sparrow  is  given  because  it  is  one  of  our  most  pleas 
ing  songsters.  In  the  dreary  winter  months  the  melodious  voice  of  this 
little  minstrel  is  about  the  only  bird- melody  one  is  apt  to  hear.  The 
nest,  composed  chiefly  of  grassed,  leaves,  weeds,  etc.,  lined  with  fine 
grasses  and  weeds,  is  built  on  the  ground  or  in  a  low  bush.  The  eggs, 
mostly  five,  vary  greatly  both  in  size  and  markings ;  they  are  greenish 
or  dull  bluish  white,  variously  spotted  with  different  shades  of  brown, 
and  measure  about  .82  by  .60  of  an  inch.  Two,  and  sometime  three, 
broods  are  raised  in  a  season.  During  the  breeding  season  this  spe- 
cies feeds  to  a  more  or  less  extent  on  differnt  forms  of  insects ;  at  other 
times  they  subsist  principally  on  the  seeds  of  grasses,  weeds,  etc. 

GENUS  PASSERELLA.     SWAINSON. 

585.     Passerella  iliaca  (MERR.). 

» 

Fox  Sparrow. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  31;  Fig.  «?,  male.') 

Upper  mandible  dark,  lower  chiefly  yellow  ;  legs  and  eyes  brown.  Readily  dis- 
tinguished by  its  rusty  red  or  ferruginous  colors,  brightest  on  the  wings,  rump  and 
tail ;  below  white  ;  upper  part  of  breast,  sides  of  throat  and  body  with  triangular 
rusty  spots,  darkest  and  most  conspicuous  on  middle  of  upper  part  of  chest ;  tips  of 
middle  and  greater  coverts  forming  two  whitish  wing  bars.  Length  about 7 §  inches  ; 
extent  about  11|. 

Hab. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  plains  and  Alaska  (Valley  of  the  Yukon 
to  the  Pacific),  and  from  the  Arctic  coast  south  to  the  Gulf  States.  Breeds  north  of 
the  United  States  ;  winters  chiefly  south  of  the  Potomac  and  Ohio  rivers. 

The  summer  home  of  this  large  and  rusty-coated  Sparrow  is  in  the 
dreary  wilds  of  British  America,  from  Labrador  to  Alaska.  Their 
nests,  we  are  reliably  informed,  have  never  been  obtained  in  the 
United  States,  where  these  birds  occur  only  during  the  spring,  fall  and 
winter  months.  With  us  this  species  is  found  as  a  common  migrant 
in  March,  April,  October  and  November.  Occasionally  only  are 
small  parties,  or  straggling  birds,  met  with  during  mild  winters  in  our 
southern  counties.  While  sojourning  here  they  may  be  observed  in 
flocks,  of  from  eight  to  twenty  each,  inhabiting  humid  grounds  in 
bushy  places  along  the  roadside,  the  edges  of  woods,  banks  of  streams, 
ponds,  etc.,  where  they  diligently  ply  themselves  in  searching  among 
the  fallen  leaves,  dead  wood  and  decaying  grass  for  seeds  and  insects. 

GENUS  PIPILO.     VIEILLOT. 
587.  Pipilo  erythrophthalmus  (LINN.). 

Towhee.  % 

DESCRIPTION. 

Male. — Upper  parts  generally,  head,  neck,  throat  and  chest  black  ;  belly  white ; 
sides  chestnut;  under  tail  coverts  similar  to  sides  but  paler  ;  edges  of  outer  six  pri- 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  34- 


i.  Male;   2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  197 

maries  with  white  at  the  base  and  on  the  middle  of  the  outer  web  ;  inner  two  ter- 
tiaries  also  edged  externally  with  white  ;  tail  feathers  black  ;  outer  web  of  first,  with 
the  ends  of  the  first  to  the  third  white,  decreasing  from  the  exterior  one.  Bill  black  ; 
legs  brown  ;  iris  bright  red.  Female. — Smaller  than  male,  with  black  replaced  by 
brown  ;  bill  dusky  brown ;  iris  brownish  or  reddish  amber.  Young — Head,  neck, 
back  and  breast  dull  brownish  yellow  and  black ;  below  whitish  with  brownish 
tinge  and  in  some  specimens  streaked  with  dusky ;  eyes  brownish,  yellowish  or 
whitish.  L'ength — Male,  about 8|  inches  ;  extent,  about  11§. 
Hab. — Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to  the  plains. 

Common  summer  resident  from  April  to  November ;  rare  winter 
resident  in  the  southern  counties,  where  a  few  individuals  are  occa- 
sionally seen.  This  somewhat  shy  and  retiring  bird  inhabits 
thickets,  clearings  and  woodland  undergrowth ;  during  migrations  it 
also  often  visits  lawns  and  gardens  of  towns  and  villages.  When 
migrating  southward  these  birds  go  in  small  detached  flocks ;  in  the 
spring  they  come  singly  or  in  pairs,  the  males  arriving  usually  a  few 
days  in  advance  of  the  females.  The  rather  bulky  nest  made  up  of 
leaves,  fine  twigs,  grasses,  etc.,  is  generally  built  on  the  ground  in  a 
grass  tuft  or  at  the  base  of  thick  bushes,  and  so  artfully  is  it  hidden 
that  it  can  oftimes  only  be  discovered  by  a  most  careful  search.  The 
4  or  5  white  and  reddish  spotted  eggs  measure  each  about  .95  by  .72 
of  an  inch.  The  several  terms,  Towhee,  Chewink,  Juree  and  Shewink, 
by  which  this  bird  is  known,  are  applied  in  imitation  of  it  sharp, 
quick  and  rather  petulant  cry.  From  its  terrestial  habits  and  con- 
spicuous chestnut  colored  sides,  has  arisen  the  name  of  Ground  Robin, 
which,  although  much  less  appropriate  than  any  of  those  previously 
mentioned,  is  nevertheless  the  one  by  which  it  is  best  known  in  East- 
ern Pennsylvania.  The  Towhee,  an  indefatigable  seed  and  insect 
hunter,  spends  most  of  his  time  on  the  ground,  in  thickets  and  brush 
piles,  hunting  among  the  withered  leaves  and  dead  twigs.  Its  rust- 
ling scratch  is  often  the  only  indication  one  will  have  of  its  presence. 
In  addition  to  various  small  seeds  and  insects,  Chewinks  feed,  also, 
more  or  less,  in  the  late  summer,  autumn  and  winter,  on  different 
kinds  of  small  fruits  and  berries.  Occasionally,  it  is  said,  they  visit 
potato  vines  and  other  plants  on  which  the  destructive  Colorado 
potato  beetle  feeds,  and  devour  many  of  these  troublesome  u  bugs." 

GENUS  CARDINALIS.     BONAPARTE. 
593.  Cardinalis  cardinalis  (LiNN.). 

Cardinal. 

DESCRIPTION.   (Plate  84.} 

Both  sexes  have  long  and  conspicuous  crests  and  brown  eyes  and  legs. 

Adult  male. — Bill,  in  life,  bright  red  ;  body  generally  light  vermillion  red,  darker 
on  the  upper  parts  ;  feathers  of  hind  neck,  back,  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  edged 
with  ashy  ;  feathers  in  front  of  eyes,  around  base  of  bill,  chin  and  throat  deep  black. 


198  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Female. — Bill  yellowish-red;  elongated  leathers  on  head  and  feathers  of  tail  and 
wings  red  ;  above  light-olive,  tinged  with  yellowish  on  head  ;  lower  parts  brownish- 
yellow,  brightest  on  breast  and  gradually  becoming  darker  on  sides  ;  leathers  around 
bill  and  on  throat  indistinct  ashy-black. 

Youny. — Bill  blackish  ;  colors  duller  ;  otherwise  very  similar  to  adult  female.  Tho 
young  male  soon  attains  his  bright  coat.  Length  about  9  inches  ;  cxtont  about  12. 

.Haft.— Eastern  United  States,  north  to  New  Jersey  and  the  Ohio  valley  (casually 
farther)  west  to  the  plains. 

The  Cardinal  or  Winter  Redbird,  as  it  is  here  generally  called,  is  a 
rather  plentiful  resident  in  the  lower  half  of  Pennsylvania,  but  in 
other  sections  of  our  State  it  is  found  only  as  a  rare  or  occasional  vis- 
itor. The  showy  dress,  the  line  and  varied  vocal  powers  of  this  shy 
and  vivacious  whistler,  are  such  that  it  is  one  of  our  most  common 
and  entertaining  cage  birds.  Although  usually  found  inhabiting  briery 
thickets  and  wooded  districts  in  the  vicinage  of  rivers,  ponds  and 
swampy  localities,  these  birds,  mostly  in  winter,  when  pressed  by 
hunger,  and  also  occasionally  in  summer  when  in  a  measure  they  lack 
their  usual  vigilance  and  shyness,  come  about  our  yards,  houses  and 
barns  in  search  of  food,  or  to  cheer  and  enliven  us  with  their  bright 
presence  and  pleasing  notes.  In  the  southern  States  and  elsewhere 
where  Redbirds  are  much  more  numerous  than  in  Pennsylvania,  they 
at  times  assemble  in  large  companies  during  the  winter  in  swampy 
thickets;  in  midwinter,  with  us,  parties  of  a  dozen  or  fifteen  individ- 
uals are  sometimes  observed  in  similar  situations.  This  species  is  gen- 
erally seen  in  pairs,  though  in  the  late  summer  and  fall  the  adults  and 
young  of  the  year  of  a  single  family  are  frequently  found  together. 
The  nest,  a  loosely-built  structure  composed  of  twigs,  weed  stems, 
fibres  of  grape  vine  bark,  grasses  or  other  vegetable  materials,  is  built 
in  bushes,  vines  and  low  trees.  I  have  never  found  a  nest  situated 
over  six  or  eight  feet  from  the  ground.  The  eggs,  2  to  4  in  number 
(usually  3),  are  white  or  bluish  white,  spotted  with  different  shades 
of  brown.  They  measure  about  1  inch  in  length  by  f  of  an  inch  in 
width.  Feeds  on  seeds  of  numerous  plants,  especially  rank  seeds  and 
grasses;  corn,  wkeat,rye  and  oats  are  also  eaten.  They  feed  more  or 
less  on  insects,  chief  among  which  are  beetles,  grasshoppers,  crickets, 
ants,  flies  and  numerous  larval  forms.  Fruits  of  the  cedar  and  mul- 
berry trees,  also  strawberries,  blackberries,  raspberries,  wild  grapes 
and  other  small  fruits  may  be  included  among  their  favorite  articles 
of  diet.  This  bird,  with  its  large  and  powerful  bill,  operated  by  strong 
muscles  of  its  head,  can  readily  break  into  fragments  the  hard  grains 
of  maize,  as  well  as  the  large  seeds  of  different  kinds  on  which  it  sub- 
sists. Its  known  ability  in  this  particular  has  earned  for  it,  in  some 
places,  the  local  name  of  Red  Corncracker. 


Plate  35. 


i.  Males;   2.  Female;  3.  Young  Male. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  199 

GENUS  HABIA.     REICHENBACH. 
595.  Habia  ludoviciana  (LiNN.). 

Roscbrcasted  Grosbeak. 

(Plate  15.     Adults  and  youny.) 

Length,  about  8  inches  ;  extent,  about  13  inches. 

ffftf/. — Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to  the  eastern  border  of 
the  plains,  in  Avinter,  to  Cuba,  Central  America,  and  northern  South  America. 

In  eastern  Pennsylvania  the  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,  is  found  as  a 
regular  though  usually,  not  a  common  visitant  during  migrations  in 
May  and  September,  when  this  species  is  mostly  seen  in  small  parties, 
of  from  five  to  a  dozen  each.  In  the  spring  \vhile  passing  northward 
(they  breed  for  the  most  part  north  of  Pennsylvania),  the  males  ar- 
rive nearly  a  week  in  advance  of  the  females,  but  in  the  fall  both 
sexes,  according  to  my  observation,  migrate  together.  Mr.  Benj.  M. 
Everhart,  of  West  Chester,  says  that  twenty-five  years  ago  this  species 
was  a  rather  common  summer  resident  in  Chester  and  Delaware 
counties,  where  he  has  repeatedly  found  their  nests,  eggs  and  young. 
In  both  of  these  districts  the  Rose-breast's  are  now  rarely  found  in  the 
summer  time.  Although  these  bright- colored  and  sweet- voiced  song- 
sters* have  apparently  abandoned  their  summering  resorts,  in  our 
eastern  districts,  many  of  their  number  find  a  congenial  summer  abode 
in  the  north-western  part  of  our  State,  particularly  in  Crawford  and 
Erie  counties,  where,  my  highly  esteemed  friend,  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett, 
assures  me,  these  birds  are  regular  and  rather  plentiful  summer  resi- 
dents, nesting  in  low  trees  and  bushes.  The  nest  is  a  thin,  flattened 
structure,  made  up  of  rootlets,  small  twigs  and  dried  grasses  ;  the  dull 
greenish -white  eggs,  spotted  with  brown,  are  three  or  four  in  number 
and  measure  about  1  inch  by  •}  of  an  inch.  These  birds  while  sojourn- 
ing here  frequent  chiefly  groves  and  forests,  apple  orchards  and  gardens 
are  also  sometimes  visited  by  them.  It  is  said  that  in  some  sections 
of  Crawford  county  where  this  species  resides  in  summer,  many  farm- 
ers protect  them  because  they  are  great  destroyers  of  u  Potato  bugs." 
A  gentleman  residing,  I  think,  nearMeadville,  stated  at  a  recent  meet- 
ing of  our  State  Board,  that  he  had  often  seen  these  birds,  in  small 
flocks  about  his  potato-patch,  eagerly  devouring  large  numbers  of 
these  vexatious  insects.  Few,  if  any  of  our  birds  are  known  to  feed 
regularly  on  the  Colorado  potato  beetle,  and  if  the  Rose- breasted 
Grosbeak  has  developed  a  taste  in  this  direction,  it  should  justly  rank 

*  Two  or  three  years  arc,  it  is  said,  required  before  the  males  .icquire  their  full  beauty,  and  it 
is  also  stated  that  the  aduit  males  in  the  late  summer  and  fall  lose  much  of  their  black  aud  be- 
come more  or  less  streaked  with  brownish  tints. 


200  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

as  one  of  the  best  feathered  friends  of  the  farmer.  My  personal1 
knowledge  of  the  food-habits  of  this  species  is  limited  to  examinations, 
made  in  May,  1882,  when  these  birds  were,  to  my  great  surprise,  ex- 
ceedingly abundant  in  the  woods  throughout  various  parts  of  Chester, 
Lancaster,  Delaware  and  Philadelphia  counties.  All  the  birds  ex- 
amined by  me  were  shot  in  woods,  feeding  mostly  on  hickory  and 
beech  trees,  in  the  neighborhood  of  West  Chester,  Pa.  May  11,  six 
males,  on  hickory  trees,  food  consisted  entirely  of  blossoms.  May  12, 
thirteen  birds,  eight  males,  three  on  hickory  trees,  others  on  beech 
trees.  All  showed  blossoms ;  two  contained  blossoms  of  the  hickory,, 
with  those  of  the  beech  ;  the  remainder  had  all  fed  on  beech  blossoms,, 
except  three  birds,  which  had  in  their  gizzards  small  black  seeds,  and 
some  few,  flat  grayish  seeds.  May  13.  eleven  birds,  seven  males,  all 
contained  blossoms  of  beech,  in  addition  to  which,  two  males  re- 
vealed remains  of  beetles  and  one  of  them  had  also  eaten  a  few  flies. 
May  1-5,  eleven  birds,  ten  males,  three  taken  on  beech  and  maple 
trees  had  only  fed  on  blossoms  ;  the  others  were  found,  when  first  dis- 
covered, feeding  on  the  ground  in  the  woods,  the  stomach  of  one  con- 
tained simply  fragments  of  a  beetle  ;  the  rest  had  eaten  blossoms  and 
small  seeds.  May  16,  three  males,  food  exclusively  blossoms.  May 
17,  four  birds,  three  females,  chiefly  blossoms  and  small  seeds,  with 
few  larvae,  and  fragments  of  beetles.  May  19,  two  birds ;  male,  beech 
blossoms ;  female  had  in  her  gizzard  blossoms,  remains  of  beetles,  and 
several  wasps.  May  20,  23  to  27,  inclusives  eleven  birds,  nine  females ; 
two  males  taken  on  the  20th  had  fed  chiefly  on  beetles  and  a  few  flat 
cylindrical  seeds ;  the  remaining  nine  specimens  were  shot  on  various 
dates,  the  last  being  taken  on  the  27th,  when  they  were  found  to  be 
very  scarce.  An  examination  of  their  viscera  showed  that  in  addition 
to  blossoms  and  small  seeds,  they  all  had  fed  to  a  small  extent  on  in- 
sects, chiefly  beetles  and  flies. 

GENUS  PASSERINA.     VIEILLOT. 
598.  Passerina  cyanea  (LiNN.). 

Indigo  Bunting. 

(Plate  36.) 

Length,  about  5^  inches ;  extent,  about  8|  inches. 

Hab.— Eastern  United  States,  south  in  winter  to  Veragua. 

Very  abundant  from  May  to  October.  When  they  first  come,  and 
also  in  the  autumn  before  leaving,  these  birds  are  sometimes  seen  in 
small  flocks.  The  males  arrive  a  few  days  before  the  females,  and  in 
small  parties  often  visit  our  gardens  and  orchards,  where,  in  the 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  36. 


i,  2,  3.  Males  in  different  stages  of  (Plumage;   4.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  201 

spring,  they  are  frequently  to  be  observed  gleaning  insects,  or  devour- 
ing the  apple-tree  blossoms.  These  birds,  although  found  in  almost 
every  locality,  are  most  numerous  in  briery  thickets,  open  woodland 
and  in  bushy  places  along  fences  and  roadways.  The  nest,  composed 
of  leaves,  dried  grasses,  etc.,  is  built  in  low  bushes.  The  eggs  are  four 
or  five,  bluish- white  and  unspotted;  seldom  are  they  pure  white,  and 
rarely  do  we  find  them  spotted  or  thinly  dotted  with  reddish  brown, 
but  whatever  may  be  their  coloration,  they  measure  a  little  less  than 
£  of  an  inch  long,  and  a  trifle  over  a  £  wide.  The  female  with  her 
plain  brown  dress,  not  unlike  some  members  of  the  human  race  when 
attired  in  "  mother-hubbards  "  and  calico  gowns,  always  shy  and  re- 
tiring— seems  even  anxious  to  elude  observation.  The  male,  however, 
in  his  attractive  and  showy  garb  of  iridescent  blues,  seemingly  is  con- 
scious of  his  beauty,  and  appears  eager  to  make  his  presence  known. 
He  perches  on  the  tops  of  high  bushes,  on  the  dead  twigs  and  limbs 
of  tall  trees,  on  the  telegraph  wires  and  fences,  to  sing  his  peculiarly 
vigorous  and  rapid  song.  The  sharp  chip  of  the  female  never,  how- 
ever, fails  to  quickly  call  to  her  side,  this  vain,  noisy  yet  most  devoted 
partner.  Indigobirds  feed  chiefly  on  different  kinds  of  small  seeds  ; 
during  the  breeding  season  many  insects  are  eaten.  They  subsist  also 
to  a  small  extent  on  apple  and  some  few  other  blossoms;  various 
kinds  of  small  fruits  and  berries  are  not  unpalatable  to  them. 


FAMILY    TANAGRIDJE.     TANAGERS. 

GENUS  PIRANGA.     VIEILLOT. 
608.  Piranga  Brythromelas  YIEILL. 

Scarlet  Tanager. 

(Plate  37). 

Length  about  7|;  extent,  about  12;  wing,  about  3^;  tail,  about  3  inches.  Bill  blu- 
ish or  brownish  yellow;  legs  and  feet  lead  color;  iris,  brown. 

ttab. — Eastern  United  States,  west  to  the  plains,  and  north  to  Southern  Canada. 
In  winter  the  West  Indies,  Central  America  and  northern  South  America. 

The  Scarlet  Tanager,  one  of  the  most  brilliant  of  our  forest  birds. 
is  about  the  size  of  the  common  Bluebird.  The  wings  and  tail  of  the 
adult  male  are  glossy  black  ;  body  and  other  parts  bright  scarlet.  The 
female  is  a  greenish  yellow  color,  with  wing  and  tail  feathers  dark 
brown.  This  description  applies  to  full  plumaged  adults  as  we  find  them 
in  the  spring  and  early  summer.  Both  sexes  are,  however,  subject  to 
great  variations  in  plumage,  and  particularly  is  this  variation  notice- 
able in  the  male  birds.  It  is  stated  that  in  the  autumn  the  male 


202  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

loses  his  bright  feathers  and  is  found  in  a  livery  similar  to  that  of  the 
female.  While  I  am  not  prepared  to  say  that  such  a  transition  occurs 
during  the  "  fall  moult,"  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  this  change 
does  take  place.  During  the  late  summer  and  early  autumn,  or  for  a 
period  of  about  six  weeks  before  the  Tanagers  leave  Pennsylvania,  I 
have  made  repeated  and  most  diligent  search  to  find  adult  males  in 
which  the  scarlet  feathers  predominated,  as  is  invariably  the  case  with 
the  males  in  spring,  but  have  failed.  Although  it  is  true  I  have  seen 
two  or  three  males  early  in  August  with  a  few  scattered  feathers  or 
"patches"  of  scarlet,  I  have  found  the  plumage  of  the  males  in 
August  and  September  to  be  the  same  as  that  of  the  females,  except 
that  in  the  males  certain  of  the  long  wing  and  tail  feathers  were  black. 
The  presence  of  these  dark  primaries  or  tail  feathers  will,  it  is  my 
opinion,  with  rare  exceptions,  enable  you  to  determine  the  sex.* 

This  species  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  sometimes,  though  rarely,  as 
early  as  the  last  week  in  April;  usually  it  comes  about  May  9.  Tana- 
gers, except  when  they  pay  occasional  visits  to  cherry  or  mulberry 
trees,  on  the  fruits  of  which  they  feed  to  a  limited  extent,  are  seldom 
found  away  from  favorite  retreats  in  the  forests.  The  forests  and 
groves,  particularly  oak  groves,  in  which  streams  of  running  water 
are  found,  are  the  favorite  resorts  of  this  species.  The  nest,  a  loosely 
built  structure,  composed  of  twigs,  roots  or  stems  of  various  weeds,  is 
usually  placed  on  the  horizontal  limb  of  a  small  tree,  preferably 
beech  (Fagus),  about  ten  or  twenty  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  3 
to  5,  mostly  4 ;  pale  greenish  blue,  spotted  with  different  shades  of 
brown;  measure  about  .95  by  .65.  While  the  nests  are  nearly  always 
built  in  the  depths  of  the  woods,  I  have  observed  they  frequently  are 
seen  overhanging  a  cart-road  or  unfrequented  path,  when  such  a  pas- 
sage-way exists  in  the  woods.  I  have  often  discovered  the  nests  of 
this  species,  and  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  neither  the  nests  or 
contents  were  disturbed,  have  noticed  that  the  birds  would  always 
follow  me  to  the  edge  of  the  woods,  and  occasionally  some  distance 
beyond,  uttering  their  peculiar  chirp  churr.  When  Tanagers  thus 
absent  themselves  from  the  nests,  it  not  unfrequently  happens  that 
the  thieving  and  omnivorous  Blue  Jay  robs  them  of  their  contents. 
Mr.  B.  M.  Everhart  has  known  instances  where  the  Jays,  after  devour- 
ing the  eggs  or  young  Tanagers,  have  torn  up  the  nests. 

Tanagers,  during  the  summer  residence  with  us,  feed  principally  on 
various  forms  of  insects,  and  to  a  very  small  extent  on  fruits,  such  as 
cherries,  strawberries,  huckleberries,  etc. 

*  The  only  pro]>er  wny  to  determine  sex   is   by  dissection.     This   is  true  not  only  of  the 
Tunag-er,  but  all  other  birds. 


natural  size. 


Plate  37. 


* 

i.  Male;   2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


203 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

1 

May     6,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Beetles.* 

2 

May   17,  18SO, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Beetles.-"- 

3 

M;iV    18,  18*0, 

East  Bradlord,  Pa.,    .    . 

Beetles  (on  maple  tree). 

4 

M:»v    in,  1S80, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Beetles.* 

5 

May   19,  1830, 

East  Bradford.  Pa.,    . 

Beetles.* 

6 

Sept.  ];">,  Isso, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,     .    . 

Grasshoppers. 

7 

Mav  20,  1882, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,   .    . 

Beetles  and  spiders.* 

8 

Mav  20,  lv»± 

East  Bradlord,  Pa.,   .   . 

Beetles  and  spiders.* 

9 

Mav   -2(\  1S<2. 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,   .    . 

Beetles  and  flies.* 

10 

Mav   20,  1882, 

East  Bradford,  Pa,,   .   . 

Beetles  and  spiders.* 

11 

Mav  20,  1882, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .   . 

Beetles  and  flies.* 

12 

May   12,  1883, 

East  Bradford,  Pa,,   .   . 

Few  Hies  and  small   worms  (taken 

on  cherry  tree). 

13 

Mav   12,  1883, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,   . 

Beetles  (taken  on  maple  tree). 

14 

May   14,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles,    flics,  and  lew  small  green 

worms  (on  oak  tree). 

15 

May  14,  1SS3, 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Beetles  chiefly,  with   traces  of  other 

insects.* 

16 

Mav   14,  1SS3, 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Beetles.* 

17 

Mav   14,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Beetles.* 

18 

May  14,  18S3, 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Beetles.* 

19 

May  25,  1S83, 

West  Gosh  en,  Pa.,    .    . 

Black  beetles  and  other  insects  (taken 

on  walnut  tree). 

20 

May  25,  1883, 

Willistown,  Pa,,  .... 

Flies  and  beetles.* 

21 

Mav  25,  1883, 

Willistown,  Pa.,  .    .   .    . 

Flies  and  beetles.* 

22 

May     7,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Beetles  and  flies. 

23 

May     7,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  flies. 

24 

Juno    4,  1884, 

Cbestertpounty,  Pa.,  .   . 

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

25 

June    4,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .    . 

Unrecognizable  insect  mass. 

2G 

Juno  14,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa..  .    . 

Cherries. 

27 

June  11,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   . 

Cherries. 

28 

Juno  17,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa,,  .   . 

Beetles,  flies  and  butterfly. 

29 

June  17,  1884, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   . 

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

*  All  taken  on  hickory  trees. 

May  18,  1882,  I  shot  seven  adult  males  feeding  in  oak  (Quercua) 
and  hickory  (Carya)  trees,  and  found  all  to  have  fed  exclusively  on 
coleopterous  insects  (beetles).  On  May  13,  1883,  I  killed  thirteen 
Tanagers,  twelve  being  adult  males,  in  a  large  woods  on  the  property 
of  William  Williams,  Jr.,  Willistown,  Pa.  The  birds  were  all  shot  in  the- 
forenoon  and  while  feeding  in  the  maple  (Acer)  and  hickory  (  Carya) 
trees.  An  examination  of  the  stomachs  of  this  series  of  birds,  made 
by  myself  and  Mr.  Williams,  showed  that  black-colored  beetles  and 
no  other  food  had  been  taken. 


FAMILY  HIRUNDINID-ffl.     SWALLOWS. 

NOTE. — Swallows  feed  exclusively  on  insects.  They  consume  myriads  of  flies 
which  so  pester  our  horses  and  cattle,  or  sorely  vex  the  tidy  housewife.  They  havo 
a  lively  and  not  unmusical  twitter,  but  no  scng.  Swallows  are  remarkable  for  their 
sociability  at  all  times;  they  migrate  in  flocks,  sometimes  numbering  thousands, 
and  nest  together  often  in  large  companies.  Living  as  they  do  almost  constantly  on 
the  wing,  they  visit  nearly  every  locality,  generally,  however,  when  feeding  and 
migrating,  they  frequent  mostly  ponds,  rivers,  streams  and  watery  places  in  Holds 
and  meadows,  where  various  kinds  of  wingod  insects  are  so  plentiful.  They  fre- 
quently are  seen  to  stop  for  an  instant  to  drink  and  bathe  when  skimming  over  the 


204  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

water's  surface.  In  clear  weather  these  birds  often  ascend  to  high  elevations  in  the 
air,  but  in  dull  weather,  particularly  before  rains,  they  fly  low  and  sail  close  to  the 
ground.  With  the  exception  of  two  species,  all  our  swallows  lay  pure  white  and 
unspotted  eggs.  The  eggs  of  these  two  species,  the  Cliff  and  Barn  Swallows — are 
white,  speckled  or  spotted  with  reddish  brown,  and  so  alike  are  the  eggs  of  these 
two  birds,  that  they  cannot  with  absolute  certainty  be  distinguished  apart.  The  usual 
complement  of  eggs  of  each  of  our  species  is  five,  sometimes  six,  but  very  seldom 
do  we  find  three  or  a  less  number  deposited  when  incubation  is  begun.  The  Purple 
Martin  builds  a  nest  of  hay,  straw,  leaves,  feathers,  etc.,  in  boxes  provided  for  them 
about  houses  and  buildings,  occasionally  with  us  this  species  breeds  in  holes  in  trees. 
Its  eggs  average  a  little  under  one  inch  in  length,  and  about  three-fourths,  or  a  little 
less  in  width.  The  Barn  Swallow  nests  mostly  in  the  interior  of  barns,  where  on  a 
beam  or  rafter,  near  the  top  of  the  roof,  it  builds  a  large  bowl-shaped  nest  (not  cov- 
ered over  the  top  as  is  the  Cliff  Swallows)  of  mud,  grasses  and  feathers.  The  mud 
used  to  cover  the  exterior,  and  in  fact  make  up  the  greater  part  of  the  nest,  is  col- 
lected by  the  birds,  along  the  edges  of  streams,  ponds  and  in  muddy  places  in  fields 
and  roads,  and  conveyed  in  small  rounded  masses  on  the  top  of  the  upper  bill.  The 
eggs  measure  about  .77  long  by. 55  of  an  inch  wide.  The  Cliff  Swallow  with  us  nests 
under  the  eaves  of  barns  and  other  out-buildings.  It  never,  I  think  in  this  State> 
breeds  about  rocks  or  cliffs,  as  it  does  in  uninhabited  regions.  The  nest  is  built  of 
small  mud  pellets,  warmly  lined  with  feathers,  or  other  soft  materials,  and  in  this 
region  is  hemispherical  in  shape,  with  a  small  hole  in  front  or  on  the  side.  The 
nest  of  this  bird  is  usually  described  in  books  as  being  retort-shaped  or  bottle-like  in 
appearance,  with  the  opening  built  out,  often  several  inches  from  the  body  of  the 
nest.  I  have  examined  many  nests  of  these  birds  found  in  Pennsylvania,  but  have 
never  yet  seen  one,  which  could  be  called  retort-shaped  or  bottle-like.  The  eggs  are 
very  similar  in  size  to  those  of  the  Barn  Swallow,  from  which  they  are  said  to  differ 
in  being  less  elongated.  The  Bank  and  Rough-winged  Swallows  excavate  holes  in 
sand  banks,  along  streams,  deep  railroad  cuts,  wagon  roads,  etc.,  in  which  they 
build  loosely  made  nests  of  grasses  and  feathers.  The  Rough-winged,  with  us  breeds 
usually  in  the  interstices  of  stone  abutments  of  bridges  or  in  the  holes  of  old  stone 
barns  or  similar  structures.  The  eggs  of  this  last  named  species  are  possibly  a  trifle 
larger  than  those  of  the  Bank  Swallow,  which  measure  about  .70  long  and  about  .50 
of  an  inch  in  width.  The  Tree  Swallow  builds  in  holes  of  trees  and  stumps,  or  in 
bird  boxes.  The  nest  is  similar  to  those  made  by  Bank  and  Rough-winged  Swal- 
lows. Its  eggs  are  about  the  same  size  as  those  of  the  Rough-winged  species. 


GENUS  PROGNE.     BOIB. 
611.    Progne  subis  (LINN.). 

Purple  Martin. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  8 ;  extent  16  inches ;  bill  black,  mouth  inside  yellow  ;  eyes  brown  ;  legs 
dark  brown  ;  closed  wings,  extend  beyond  the  tail  which  is  decidedly  forked.  Adult 
male.— Glossy  blue  black ;  wings  and  tail  feathers  above  black,  more  or  less  glossed 
with  blue-black  ;  under  portions  of  wings  and  tail  feathers  dark  brown.  Adult 
female. — Dull  brown  above,  glossed  with  blue  black,  brightest  on  back  of  head  and 
middle  of  back  ;  loral  spaces  and  auricular,  feathers  dark  brown  or  black ;  forehead, 
and  narrow  stripe  about  hind-neck,  grayish  white  ;  belly  and  under  tail  coverts 
white  ;  rest  of  under  parts  dull  grayish  white,  darkest  on  the  sides.  Young. — Both 
sexes  quite  similar  to  female,  though  the  males  are  mostly  darker.  Immature 
males,  with  blue  black  feathers  singly  or  in  patches,  are  common.  About  three 
years,  it  is  believed,  are  required  for  th-e  male  to  attain  his  full  dress. 

Hab.—  Temperate  North  America,  south  to  Mexico. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  205 

Common  resident  from  early  in  April  to  about  the  middle  of  Au- 
gust ;  they  arrive  in  spring,  singly,  in  pairs  or  small  flocks.  Late  iu 
August  these  birds  collect  in  flocks  (numbering  sometimes  several 
hundred  each),  which  for  a  brief  period  linger  about  meadows  along 
rivers  or  other  large  bodies  of  water,  and  then  wend  their  way  south- 
ward. Since  the  advent  of  the  prolific  English  Sparrow,  Martins  have 
abandoned  many  of  their  nesting-places  in  towns  and  cities.  Dr. 
John  R.  Everhart,  of -West  Chester,  Pa.,  appreciating  that  his  flock  of 
chattering  Martins  was  rapidly  diminishing  before  the  advances  of  the 
Sparrows,  some  few  years  ago  erected  in  his  yard  a  large  pole  with 
cross-pieces,  from  which  were  suspended,  by  brass  wire  chains,  each 
about  eighteen  inches  long,  a  number  of  boxes,  in  which  the  Martins, 
also  Wrens  and  Blue-birds,  nest  without  any  trouble  from  their  com- 
mon feathered  enemy.  The  swaying  motion  of  these  pendent  boxes 
appears  to  frighten  the  Sparrows,  as  not  one  has  ever  been  observed 
to  alight  on  or  enter  them. 

u  The  Martin  differs  from  all  the  rest  of  our  Swallows  in  the  partic- 
ular prey  which  he  selects.  Wasps,  bees,  beetles,  particularly  those 
called  by  boys  Goldsmiths,  seem  his  favorite  game.  I  have  taken 
four  of  these  large  beetles  from  the  stomach  of  a  Purple  Martin,  each 
of  which  seemed  entire,  and  even  unbruised." —  Wilson. 

GENUS  PETROCHELIDON.     CABANIS. 
612.  Petrochelidon  lunifrons  (SAY.). 

Cliff  Swallow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  5|  ;  extent  about  12  inches ;  tail  nearly  even  or  very  slightly  forked ; 
bill  black  ;  legs  and  eyes  brown  ;  top  and  back  of  head,  back  and  a  spot  on  throat 
lustrous  blue-black  ;  wings  and  tail  blackish,  slightly  glossed  ;  grayish-brown  band 
on  hind  neck  ;  forehead  white  or  light-brown  ;  chin,  throat  and  sides  of  head  dark 
chestnut,  rump  same,  but  lighter  ;  breast  brownish-yellow,  whitening  on  the  belly. 
Sexes  similar ;  the  young,  although  generally  duller  in  colors,  greatly  resemble  the 
adults. 

Hab. — North  America  at  large,  and  south  to  Brazil  and  Paraguay. 

Common  summer  resident;  generally  distributed  throughout  the 
State.  Breeds  mostly  in  colonies  of  from  twenty  to  forty  individuals ; 
sometimes,  however,  as  many  as  fifty  or  seventy-five  nests  are  found 
together.  Although  I  have  known  these  birds  to  breed,  for  three  con- 
secutive seasons,  under  the  eaves  of  long  sheds  in  a  cow-yard,  I  am 
inclined  to  think  that  they  usually  breed  but  one  season  in  the  same 
place.  The  Cliff  Swallow  arrives  here  about  the  last  week  in  April 
and  disappears  early  in  September.  This  bird  when  flying  can  easily 
be  distinguished  from  other  swallows  by  its  almost  even  tail  feathers 


200  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

and  the  conspicuous  rusty-colored  rump.  During  migrations  this  spe- 
cies is  found  in  greatest  numbers  in  the  vicinity  of  rivers,  ponds  and 
lakes. 

GENUS  OHELIDON.     FORSTEB. 

613.  Chelidon  erythrogaster  (BODD.). 

Barn  Swallow* 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  G^  inches ;  extent  about  12g  inches ;  bill  and  nails  black  ;  eyes  very 
dark  brown ;  legs  and  feet  light  brown ;  above  glossy  steel-blue,  with  concealed 
white  on  middle  of  back  ;  wings  and  tail  feathers  viewed  from  above  blackish,  glossed 
with  greenish  and  violet  hues ;  tail  very  deeply  forked  •  inner  webs  of  all  tall  feath- 
ers, except  two  middle  ones,  have  showy  white  spots ;  outer  tail  feathers  much  larger 
and  narrower  towards  the  ends  than  others  :  imperfect  steel-bluo  color  on  upper  part 
of  breast;  forehead,  chin,  throat  and  a  space  on  under  tail  coverts,  deep  chestnut; 
rest  of  lower  parts  lighter  reddish-brown. 

Young. — Duller  and  paler  than  the  adults ;  and  the  lateral  pair  of  tail  feathers  are 
also  much  shorter. 

Hab.—  North  America  in  general,  from  the  lur  countries  southward  to  the  West 
Indies,  Central  America  and  South  America. 

The  Barn  Swallow  is  so  named  because  it  usually  nest  in  barns. 
This  bird,  like  the  preceding  species  arrives  here  late  in  April  and  de- 
parts about  September  1.  This  Swallow,  either  when  at  rest  or  on 
the  wing,  may  be  recognized  by  its  deeply-forked  tail,  which  if  viewed 
from  below  shows  a  broad  white  band,  most  conspicuous  when  the 
bird  is  flying. 

GENUS  TACHYCINETA.     CABAINS. 

614.  Tachycineta  bicolor  (YIEILL.). 

Tree  Swallow;  White-bellied  Swallow. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  .?<sv) 

Length  about  6  inches ;  extent  about  13  inches ;  tail  slightly  forked ;  bill  black ; 
legs  and  iris  brown  ;  lores  black  ;  above  glossy  metallic-green  ;  wings  and  tail  black- 
ish, with  faint  greenish  gloss  ;  lower  parts  entirely  white. 

Young  colors  are  duller  and  toes  sometimes  yellowish. 

Hab. — North  America  at  large,  from  the  fur  countries  southward,  in  winter,  to  the 
West  Indies  and  Central  America. 

The  Tree  Swallow,  when  flying  or  at  rest,  can  easily  be  distinguished 
from  all  other  of  our  Swallows,  by  its  dark-colored  back  and  pure 
white  under  parts.  This  species  arrives  here  late  in  March  or  early 
in  April,  and  leaves  in  September.  Common  and  very  generally  dis- 
tributed during'  migrations;  as  a  summer  resident  is  restricted  chiefly 
to  localities  about  rivers. 


\  of  natural  size. 


Plate  38 


i.  Adult  Male;  2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  207 

GENUS  CL.IVICOLA.     FORSTER. 

616.  Clivicola  riparia  (LiNN.). 

Bank  Swallow. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Smallest  of  all  our  Swallows  ;  length  about  5,  extent  about  12|  inches :  bill  black ; 
legs  brownish  ;  iris  dark-brown  ;  tail  short  and  slightly  forked  ;  lower  part  of  tarsus 
feathered  behind ;  above  grayish-brown ;  beneath  white,  with  a  broad  band  across 
the  breast,  same  color  as  on  back  ;  wings  and  tail  dark  brown. 

Hab. — Northern  hemisphere;  in  America,  south  to  the  West  Indies,  Central 
America  and  northern  South  America. 

GENUS  STELGIDOPTERYX.    BAIRD. 

« 

617.  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  (Auo.). 

Rough-winged  Swallow. 

Rather  larger  than  the  last ;  bill,  legs  and  eyes  same  color  as  the  Bank  Swallow ; 
above  grayish-brown  ;  lower  parts  similar,  though  paler,  gradually  whitening  on  the 
belly  ;  edge  of  first  primary  rough  to  the  touch,  by  the  outer  web  being  converted 
into  a  series  of  stiff  recurved  hooks.  The  design  of  this  peculiar  wing  structure  is 
not  clearly  known.  It  has  been  suggested  that  these  hooks  "assist  the  birds  in 
crawling  into  their  holes,  and  in  clinging  to  vertical  or  overhanging  surfaces." 

Hab.—  United  States  at  large  (in  the  Eastern  States  north  to  Connecticut),  south 
to  Guatemala. 

The  Bank  and  Rough-winged  Swallows  arrive  here  about  the  first 
week  in  April  and  remain  with  us  until  about  September  1.  Both 
species  frequent  the  same  localities,  being  found  generally  in  the 
neighborhood  of  rivers,  large  creeks  and  mill-dams.  These  birds  are 
not  only  alike  in  habits,  but  they  also  greatly  resemble  each  other  in 
size  and  colors.  The  Bank  Swallow  has  a  white  throat  and  a  dark 
band  across  the  breast.  The  Rough-winged  has  a  uniform  mouse- 
colored  throat  and  breast.  These  throat  and  breast  markings  will 
sometimes  enable  you  to  recognize  the  birds  in  life.  Should  you,  how- 
ever, desire  to  positively  determine  these  two  species,  my  advice  would 
be,  take  your  gun  and  shoot  them.  After  doing  this  you  will  know 
the  Bank  Swallow  by  a  tuft  of  feathers  on  the  tarsus,  near  the  inser- 
tion of  the  hind  toe.  An  adult  Rough-wing  (particularly  if  an  old 
male)  has  the  first  wing  quills  furnished  with  a  number  of  saw-like 
hooks,  from  which  originate  the  common  name,  likewise  the  technical 
one  serripennis,  but  as  the  immature  Rough-winged  Swallows  lack 
these  curious  hooks,  look  at  their  legs — a  Rough- winged  Swallow  has 
no  feathers  on  the  leg  just  above  the  hind  toe. 


208  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

FAMILY  AMPELID^E.     WAXWINGS. 
SUBFAMILY  AMPELINJE.    WAXWINGS. 

GENUS  AMPELIS.   LINNAEUS. 
619.  Ampelis  cedrorum  (VIEILL.). 

Cedar  Waxwing.* 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  89.) 

Head  crested  ;  general  color  reddish-olive,  passing  anteriorly  on  the  neck,  head 
and  breast  into  purplish-cinnamon,  posteriorly  on  the  upper  parts  into  ash,  on  the 
lower  into  yellow  ;  under  tail  coverts  white  ;  chin  dark  sooty-black,  fading  insensi- 
bly into  the  ground-color  on  the  throat ;  forehead,  loral  region,  space  below  the  eye 
and  a  line  above  it  on  the  side  of  the  head,  intense  black  ;  quills  and  tail  dark-plum- 
beous, passing  behind  into  dusky ;  the  tail  tipped  with  yellow  ;  the  primaries,  ex- 
cept the  first,  margined  with  hoary  ;  a  white  line  on  side  of  urider  jaw  ;  a  narrow 
white  stripe  bordering  black  of  forehead  and  lores  ;  lower  eyelid  white  ;  secondaries 
sometimes  tipped  with  horny  and  red  seal  ing-wax -like  appendages  ;  some  specimens 
are  occasionally  seen  with  two  or  three  tail  feathers,  tipped  with  red  horny  append- 
ages. Young  duller  than  adults,  and  streaked  with  brownish,  especially  on  breast 
and  sides.  Bill,  blue-black  ;  legs  black ;  iris  brown.  Length  about  1\  ;  extent 
about  12  inches. 

Hab. — North  America  at  large,  from  fur  countries  southward.  In  winter  south  to 
Guatemala  and  the  West  Indies. 

The  Cedar  or  Cherry  bird,  as  this  species  is  best  known  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, is  an  abundant  resident.  These  birds,  except  in  the  breed- 
ing time  (from  about  the  last  of  June  to  the  first  of  August) — are 
always  found  in  flocks,  which  in  many  sections  seem  most  numerous 
in  May  and  the  first  two  weeks  in  June.  The  somewhat  flat  and 
rather  bulky  nest,  composed  of  small  twigs,  roots,  grasses,  bits  of 
string,  feathers  or  other  soft  materials  is  built  in  trees  in  groves  and 
orchards,  particularly  apple  orchards.  The  eggs,  usually  five  in  num- 
ber, are  dull  bluish-gray  spotted  and  blotched  with  black  and  brownish. 
They  measure  about  .90  by  .65  of  an  inch.  Cedarbirds  fly  in  com- 
pact flocks,  and  when  they  alight  huddle  close  together  on  the  limbs 
and  twigs.  They  apparently  prefer  to  light  on  dead  branches  of  trees, 
and  in  the  spring  or  when  they  visit  cherry  trees,  this  habit  is  fre- 
quently taken  advantage  of  by  the  observing  farmer,  who  fastens  to  a 
long  pole  a  dead  branch,  with  numerous  small  twigs,  and  fixes  it  in 
the  fruit-tree,  so  that  the  entire  branch  will  project  above  the  tree 
tops,  then  stationing  himself  nearby  he  can  shoot  the  birds  as  they 
alight  without  injuring  with  shot,  the  tree  or  its  ripening  fruit.  Some 


*  Dr.  Coues  I  Birds  of  Colorado  Valley)  referring  to  the  "  sealing-wax  "  appendages  of  the  sec- 
ondary quills  of  birds  of  this  genus,  says  they  "  have  been  subjected  to  chemical  and  microscop- 
ical examination  by  L.  Stieda,  and  shown  to  be  the  enlarged,  hardened  and  peculiarly  modified 
prolongation  of  the  shaft  itself  of  the  feather,  composed  of  central  and  peripheral  substances, 
differing  in  the  shape  of  the  pigment  cells,  which  contain  abundance  of  red  and  yellow  coloring: 
matter." 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  39. 


i.  Male;   -2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  209 

few  years  ago  two  farmers,  residing  near  West  Chester,  killed  one 
day  in  this  manner  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  Cherrybirds,  shooting 
from  seven  to  twenty  at  each  discharge.  These  birds,  as  their  com- 
mon names  would  signify,  subsist  chiefly  on  a  fruit  and  berry  diet ; 
the  many  varieties  of  cultivated  cherries,  mulberries,  whortleberries, 
wild  grapes,  berries  of  tne  gum,  cedar  and  mountain  ash,  also  the  fruit 
of  the  poke  plant,  are  its  favorite  food..  In  the  spring  they  often  visit 
orchards  and  gardens  to  feed  on  insects  or  devour  portions  of  the 
apple  blossoms.  Cherrybirds  are  very  expert  flyatchers  and  they 
also  destroy  great  numbers  of  caterpillars.  Nuttall  writing  of  this 
species  says  although  a  small  portion  of  the  gardener's  cherry  crop  is 
destroyed  u  they  fail  not  to  assist  in  ridding  his  trees  of  more  deadly 
enemies  which  infect  them,  and  the  small  caterpillars,  beetles  and 
various  insects  now  constitute  their  only  food ;  and  for  hours  at  a 
time  they  may  be  seen  feeding  on  the  all-despoiling  canker-worms, 
which  infest  our  apple  trees  and  elms.  On  these  occasions,  silent  and 
sedate,  after  plentifully  feeding,  they  sit  dressing  their  feathers,  in 
near  contact  on  the  same  branch,  to  the  number  of  five  or  six ;  and,  as 
the  season  of  selective  attachment  approaches,  they  may  be  observed 
pluming  each  other,  and  caressing  with  the  most  gentle  fondness. 
This  friendly  trait  is  carried  so  far  that  an  eye-witness  assures  me  he 
has  seen  one  among  a  row  of  these  birds  seated  upon  a  branch  dart 
after  an  insect  and  offer  it  to  his  associate  when  caught,  who  very 
disinterestedly  passed  it  to  the  next ;  and,  each  delicately  declining 
the  offer,  the  morsel  has  proceeded  backwards  and  forwards  before  it 
was  appropriated." 

FAMILY  LANIID-ffi.     SHRIKES. 
GENUS  LANIUS.     LINNAEUS. 
621    Lanius  borealis  YIEILL. 

Northern   Shrike. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Above  light  bluish-ash,  obscurely  soiled  with  reddish-brown  ;  forehead,  sides  of 
the  crown,  scapulars,  and  upper  tail  coverts  hoary-white  ;  beneath  white,  the  breast 
and  upper  portions  of  the  sides  with  fine  tranverse  very  blackish  or  grayish  lines  . 
wings  and  tail  black,  the  former  with  a  white  patch  at  base  of  primaries  and  tips  o 
srnaM  quills,  the  latter  with  the  lateral  feathers  tipped  with  white ;  bill  blackish^ 
brown  considerably  lighter  at  the  base  ;  eyes  dark  brown  ;  black  stripe  from  the  bill 
through  and  behind  the  eye,  but  beneath  the  latter  interrupted  by  a  whitish  crescent. 
Young  more  or  less  soiled  with  brownish.  Length  about  10  ;  extent  about  14  inches- 

Hab.— Northern  Xorth  America,  south  in  the  winter  to  the  middle  portion  of  the 
United  States  (Washington,  D.  C.,  Kentucky,  Kansas,  Colorado,  Arizona,  etc.). 

Although  this  species  is  said  to  breed  in  some  portions  of  the  mount- 
ainous regions  of  Pennsylvania,  I  have  observed  it  only  as  an  irreg- 
11  BIRDS. 


210  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

ular  and  tolerably  common  winter  resident  from  November  to  April, 
frequenting  briery  thickets,  thorn  hedges  and  grassy  fields  near  trees 
and  bushes.  They  sometimes  visit  towns  and  prey  on  English  Spar- 
rows. The  name  of  Butcherbird  given  to  members  of  this  genue, 
arises  from  the  habit  they  frequently  have  of  impaling  their  prey  on 
thorns,  or  sharp-pointed  twigs,  etc.  Shrikes  feed  chiefly  on  grass- 
hoppers and  beetles,  and  when  these  are  not  easily  obtained  they  sub- 
sist on  mice  and  small  birds.  The  Northern  Shrike,  assassin-like,  will 
conceal  himself  in  bushes  and  imitate  the  cries  of  other  birds,  and 
when  they  come  sufficiently  near  his  ambush  he  will,  to  their  great 
consternation,  fly  into  their  midst  and  seize  one  of  their  number. 

FAMILY  VIREONID-ffl  VIREOS. 

[NOTE. — The  Vireos  have  the  wings  pointed  or  rounded,  and  equal  to  or  longer 
than  the  even  or  rounded  tail.  "Primaries  apparently  only  nine,  the  first  being 
rudimentary  or  displaced  (occasionally  quite  visible").  The  feathers  of  the  upper 
parts  are  greenish-olive,  of  different  shades ;  lower  parts  whitish  or  yellowish  or 
both  ;"  eyes  brown,  except  in  the  Red  and  White-eyed  species,  and  even  the  young 
of  these  have  brown  irides.  These  birds  frequent  chiefly  woods  and  thickets,  yet 
some,  particularly  the  Red-eyed  and  Warbling,  are  common  during  migrations  about 
yards  and  gardens  in  towns.  Both  of  these  species  also  often  breed  in  the  trees  of 
parks  and  gardens.  The  Vireos  are  rather  plainly  attired,  and  were  it  not  for  their 
delightful  and  mtfsical  notes,  they  would  much  oftener  escape  our  notice  than  they 
do ;  few  of  our  woods  birds  are  equal  to  them  as  songsters.  They  live  almost  con- 
stantly in  the  leafy  retreats  of  trees  and  shrubbery,  rarely,  if  ever,  do  they  rest  on 
the  ground.  They  subsist  almost  exclusively  on  insects,  chief  among  which  may  be 
mentioned  flies,  spiders,  beetles  and  various  larvae  ;  in  the  late  summer  and  autumn 
some  species  feed  to  a  small  extent  on  a  few  kinds  of  berries.  We  have  in  Pennsyl- 
vania six  species,  viz :  the  Red-eyed,  Warbling,  Blue-headed,  Yellow-throated, 
White-eyed  and  Philadelphia  Vireos,  and  all  with  the  exception  of  the  Philadelphia 
Vireo,  are  common  as  summer  residents  or  spring  and  fall  migrants.  Their  beauti- 
ful cup-shaped,  or  basket-like  and  pendulous  nests,  are  composed  of  pieces  of  bark, 
lichens,  rootlets,  fine  grass  stems,  bits  of  paper,  etc.,  and  suspended  from  forked 
twigs.  Vireos  nest  in  trees  and  bushes,  usually  in  groves  or  forests  ;  some  build 
close  to  the  ground  ;  others  erect  their  pensile  homes  on  the  highest  twigs  of  tall 
forest  trees.  Their  elongate-ovate  eggs,  commonly  five,  are  white,  thinly  speckled 
or  dotted,  usually  about  the  larger  end  with  black  or  brown.  They  measure  gener- 
ally a  little  more  than  £  of  an  inch  long,  by  \  an  inch  wide.  The  Red  and  White- 
eyed  Vireos  breed  very  abundantly  with  us,  and  in  a  large  proportion  of  their  nestc, 
especially  in  nests  of  the  Red-eyed  species,  you  will  find  Cowbirds'  eggs  or  young1.  ] 

GENUS  VIREO.     VIEILLOT. 
624.  Vireo  olivaceus  (LINN.). 

DESCRIPTION  (Plate  40.     Adult  male). 

Largest  of  the  genus.  Length  about  6|,  extent  about  10^  inches  ;  bill  blackish 
above,  below  bluish-white ;  feet  and  legs  lead  color ;  iris  red ;  back,  rump,  upper 
parts  of  wing  and  tail  feathers  olive-green ;  sides  of  head  and  neck  paler  ;  crown 
dark-ash,  edged  with  a  blackish  line  ;  a  well-defined  whitish  line  from  nostril  over 
the  eye  and  back  of  it ;  a  dusky  stripe  through  the  eye  ;  under  parts  white,  shaded 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  40. 


Male. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  211 

on  the  sides  and  tail  coverts  with  greenish-yellow,  brightest  on  the  under  wing 
coverts  and  crissum.  Tail  and  wing  feathers  blackish,  edged  on  the  outside  with 
greenish-yellow,  with  whitish  on  inside.  Young. — Irk1  >  plain  brown  or  reddish- 
brown  ;  ash  of  crown  less  distinct ;  grayish-yellow  rather  than  greenish  above,  but 
the  sides,  under  wing  and  tail  coverts  are  quite  brightly  colored. 

Hob. — Eastern  North  America,  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  north  to  the  Arctic 
regions. 

The  Red-eyed  Vireo  is  a  common  summer  resident  from  late  in 
April  to  the  last  of  September.  In  this  State  it  is  much  more  abund- 
ant than  any  other  of  the  Yireos.  In  summer  the  voice  of  this  agile, 
fluent  and  tireless  songster  is  heard  on  almost  every  hand  in  forests 
and  groves.  This  bird  is  a  most  devoted  foster- parent,  feeding  and 
guarding  the  clamorous  young  Cowbird  with  the  same  care  and  solici- 
tude that  it  bestows  upon  its  own  offspring.  Indeed,  sometimes  it 
seems  that  they  are  even  more  attentive  to  the  noisy,  red-mouthed 
Cowbirds  than  they  are  to  their  own  young.  The  Red-eyed  Yireo, 
like  others  of  the  family,  subsists  chiefly  on  insects,  which  he  captures 
on  the  wing,  or  secures  while  gleaning  among  the  branches  and  leaves. 
In  the  late  summer  and  autumn  months  he  feeds,  more  or  less,  on 
raspberries,  mulberries,  pokeberries  and  wild  grapes.  His  white 
shirt-front  is  often  soiled  with  the  bright  juices  of  the  fruits  on  which 
he  feeds. 

FAMILY  MNIOTILTID-ffi.     WOOD- WARBLERS. 

NOTE. — Over  thirty  species  of  this  large  family,  which  in  the  number  of  its  species 
and  sub-species,  ranks  next  to  the  Fringillidce,  the  largest  family  of  North  Ameri- 
can birds,  are  found  in  Pennsylvania  as  spring  and  fall  migrants,  summer  residents 
or  straggling  and  accidental  visitors.  This  group,  with  some  few  exceptions,  are 
small,  averaging  about  5  inches  in  length  and  8  inches  in  extent ;  eyes  are  brown 
and  their  legs  brownish.  The  usually  blackish  and  in  most  species,  slender,  straight 
and  awl-shaped  bill,  will  aid  greatly  in  recognizing  a  warbler  from  members  of  the 
following  families  :  Fringillidce  (bill  conical,  commissure  more  or  less  angulated) ; 
Virconidce  (bill  distinctly  notched  and  hooked) ;  Tanagridce  (bill  stout,  much  like  a 
Sparrow's,  with  lobe  and  tooth  near  middle  of  commissure);  Hirundinidce  (bill  short, 
broad,  flat  and  gape  reaching  to  eyes).  The  Black  and  White  Warbler,  Worm-eating 
Warbler,  Blue-winged  Yellow  Warbler,  Yellow  Warbler,  Ovenbird,  Kentucky  War- 
bler, Maryland  Yellow-throat,  Yellow-breasted  Chat  and  American  Redstart,  breed 
generally  throughout  the  State.  Some  other  species*  also  breed  in  certain  localities, 
particularly  in  the  mountainous  and  more  northern  parts  of  our  Commonwealth. 
The  species  of  this  family,  which  breed  most  commonly  with  us.  lay  from  three  to 
five  white  eggs,  spotted  or  thinly  speckled  usually  with  reddish  brown,  or  both  black 
and  brown.  Some  of  these  birds  nest  on  the  ground,  others  in  trees  or  bushes.  Cer- 
tain members  of  this  family  are  remarkable  for  the  melody  of  their  song,  many 
species  which  migrate  north,  penetrating,  as  some  do,  even  the  Arctic  solitudes  to 
rear  their  young,  are  said  to  possess  most  exquisite  vocal  powers.  With  a  view  of 
giving  the  beginner  a  general  idea  where  he  will  be  most  likely  to  find  the  numerous 
representatives  of  this  group,  we  will  for  the  sake  of  brevity  and  convenience  divide 
the  Mniotiltidce  into  three  classes,  to  wit :  No.  I.  Species  that  live  chiefly  en  the 
ground.  No.  II.  Species  which  inhabit  trees  and  bushes,  frequenting  mainly,  Avhen 

*  See  Appendix.    List  of  Birds  of  Pennsyl  vania. 


212  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

with  us,  tall  forest  trees  and  orchards  ;  rarely,  if  ever,  seen  on  the  ground.  No.  III. 
Species  which  are  seen  in  trees  and  bushes,  and  which  also  are  often  found  on  the 
ground. 

Class  I.  Worm-eating  Warbler,  frequents  thickets  and  bushy  places  in  woods, 
u  sually  near  streams.  Nest  made  up  of  leaves  and  hair-moss  embedded  in  the  ground. 
Palm  Warbler  and  Yellow  Palm  Warbler — Seen  mostly  on  the  ground  ;  sometimes 
may  be  observed  on  low  limbs  of  trees  or  in  bushes.  Ovenbird — The  nest,  usually 
with  the  top  covered  over  or  roofed,  is  constructed  of  dead  leaves,  rootlets,  dry 
grasses,  etc.,  embedded  in  the  ground  on  hillside  or  other  dry  places  in  woods.  This 
bird  particularly  when  disturbed  and  often  when  singing  perches  on  the  low  limbs 
of  trees  or  bushes.  The  Water  Thrush  and  Louisiana  Water  Thrush— These  two 
species  frequent  swamps,  pools  and  streams  in  woods  and  thickets ;  their  nests  com- 
posed of  leaves,  mosses,  fine  roots  and  grasses,  are  generally  on  the  ground  under 
old  stumps  or  logs.  Although  these  two  thrushes  often  perch  on  low  limbs  and 
twigs,  they  are  mainly  terrestrial  in  habits.  Kentucky  Warbler— Rarely  seen  in 
trees,  but  often  in  low  bushes.  He  delights  to  hide  among  the  leaves  of  Skunk-cab- 
bage in  swampy  thickets  in  woods,  where,  on  the  ground,  its  large  nest  of  leaves, 
fine  roots,  grasses,  etc.,  is  built  often  among  the  Skunk-cabbage  plants  or  at  the  foot 
of  a  spice-wood  bush.  Connecticut  Warbler — Found  in  thickets  and  bushy  places 
about  the  edges  of  woods,  usually  near  streams.  Maryland  Yellow-throat— Com- 
mon frequenter  of  shrubbery  and  underbrush  ;  nests  on  the  ground  or  very  close  to 
it.  During  migrations  sometimes  seen  in  orchards.  Mourning  Warbler,  inhabits 
thickets. 

Class  II.  Tennessee  Warbler — In  the  autumn  when  this  species  is  common,  they 
are  mostly  found  low  down  in  trees  or  bushes  in  woods.  I  have  never  seen  them  on 
the  ground.  Parula  Warbler — Generally  seen  in  the  tops  of  high  forest  trees.  Black- 
throated  Blue  Warbler — This  species  although  commonly  seen  in  trees,  is  often  ob- 
served in  low  bushes,  and  occasionally  is  seen  on  the  ground.  The  following  species 
of  the  genus  Dendroica,  when  with  us,  frequent  for  the  most  part,  forest  trees  and 
apple  orchards,  or  high  bushes.  Cape  May,  Yellow,  Myrtle,  Magnolia,  Cerulean, 
Chestnut-sided,  Bay-breasted,  Black-poll,  Black burnian,  Yellow-throated  (very 
rare),  and  Black-throated  Green  Warblers,  also,  the  American  Redstart. 

Class  III.  Black  and  White  Warbler— Like  a  Nuthatch,  this  bird  may  gener- 
ally be  seen,  circling  around  the  trunks  and  larger  branches  of  trees,  in  woods, 
swamps  and  thickets.  Nest  on  the  ground  usually  concealed  by  dead  limbs  or 
roots.  The  nest  is  composed  mostly  of  strips  of  inner  bark,  lined  with  hair,  mosses, 
or  fine  grass.  Of  the  genus  Helminthophila,  but  three  species,  not  included  in  either 
of  the  two  previous  classes,  are  generally  found  here.  They  are  the  Blue-winged, 
Golden-winged  and  Nashville  Warblers.  The  Blue-winged  Warbler,  is  one  of  our 
common  summer  residents  ;  its  nest  of  dead  leaves,  fine  grass  and  rootlets,  is  placed 
in  a  depression  in  the  ground,  usually  in  open  woods  or  thickets.  The  Pine  War- 
bler, though  generally  seen  in  trees,  sometimes  is  observed  on  the  ground.  Prairie 
Warbler — Mostly  seen  in  low  bushes,  or  high  grasses  from  which  it  sometimes  flies 
to  the  ground  to  feed.  Yellow-breasted  Chat — A  common  inhabitant  of  thickets, 
and  tangled  undergrowth,  where  it  nests  ;  often  repairs  to  high  branches  of  trees  to 
sing  its  loud  and  varied  song.  Three  species  of  the  genus  Sylvania  are  found  here, 
one,  the  Hooded  Warbler,  is  very  rare  ;  the  Wilson's  Warbler  and  Canadian  Warbler 
are  common  during  migrations.  The  species  last  named  is  generally  seen  in  trees 
and  bushes.  It  nests  on  or  near  the  ground  in  swampy  woods.  Most  of  the  species 
of  the  genera  Helminthophila,  Dcndroica,  Sylvania  and  Seiurus,  which  occur  gen- 
erally throughout  Pennsylvania,  are  found  here  only  as  spring  and  fall  migrants,  in 
May  and  September,  when  the  Warblers  are  most  numerous.  The  birds  of  this 
family,  particularly  those  belonging  to  the  genera  Dendroica  and  Geothlypis,  are, 
with  some  few  exceptions,  attired  in  showy  and  attractive  colors  ;  the  prevailing  ones 
being  black  and  yellow,  with  white  patches,  streaks  and  spots  ;  and  different  shades 
of  blue,  olive-green  arid  red.  The  Black  and  White  Warbler  moves  along  the  trunks 
and  limbs  of  trees  not  unlike  the  Nuthatch  or  Brown  Creeper.  The  Water  Thrushes 


-/s  natural  size. 


Plate  41. 


i.  Male;   2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  213 

and  Ovenbird,  by  their  peculiar  jerking  motions,  often  remind  one  of  some  of  the 
Sandpipers  or  the  American  Pipit.  As  you  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  Maryland  Yellow- 
throat,  and  hear  his  sharp  note,  as  he  vanishes  in  the  thick  undergrowth,  you  are  re- 
minded of  certain  peculiarities  so  characteristic  of  Wrens.  The  Parula  and  Pine 
Warblers,  are  often  seen  to  hang  downwards,  like  the  Titmice  when  feeding  and  the 
ever  active  Redstart  in  some  ways  is  not  unlike  the  Tyrant  flycatchers. 

The  Warblers*  subsist  almost  exclusively  on  insects,  such  as  flies,  beetles,  spiders, 
grasshoppers,  plant-lice,  and  various  kind  of  larvae.  Referring  to  these  birds  Dr. 
Coues  says :  "With  tireless  industry  do  the  Warblers  befriend  the  human  race; 
their  unconscious  zeal  plays  due  part  in  the  nice  adjustment  of  nature's  forces,  help- 
ing to  bring  about  that  balance  of  vegetable  and  insect  life  without  which  agriculture 
would  be  in  vain.  They  visit  the  orchard  when  the  apple  and  pear,  the  plum, 
peach  and  cherry  are  in  blossom,  seeming  to  revel  carelessly  amid  the  sweet-scented 
and  delicately  tinted  blossoms,  but  never  faltering  in  their  good  work.  They  peer 
into  the  crevices  of  the  bark,  scrutinize  each  leaf,  and  explore  the  very  heart  of  the 
buds,  to  detect,  drag  forth,  and  destroy  those  tiny  creatures,  singly  insignificant,  col- 
lectively a  scourge,  which  prey  upon  the  hopes  of  the  fruit-grower,  and  which,  if  in- 
disturbed  would  bring  his  care  to  nought." 

GENUS  DENDROICA.  GRAY. 
652.  Dendroica  sestiva  (GMEL.). 

Yellow  Warbler. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  41.) 

Length  about  5|  inches  ;  extent  about  1\  ;  bill  bluish  black;  legs,  feet  and  eyes 
brown.  Male— Golden  yellow  ;  back  olive  yellow  ;  chest  and  sides  streaked  with 
brownish  red.  Female  and  young  duller,  and  the  former  with  brownish  red  streaks 
very  obscure  or  entirely  wanting. 

Hab.—  North  America  at  large,  south  in  winter  to  Central  America  and  nortnern 
South  America. 

Abundant  summer  resident.  Arrives  the  last  week  in  April  and 
remains  until  about  the  middle  of  September.  A  common  inhabitant 
of  shrubbery  in  gardens,  lawns,  and  parks,  and  also  frequents  or- 
chards ;  it  is  often  seen  in  groves  but  is  rarely  observed  in  forests. 
Builds  a  small  compact  cup-shaped  nest  of  plant-fibres,  spider's  webs, 
lined  with  wooly  plant  substances,  feathers  or  hair,  in  an  upright  fork 
of  a  tree  or  bush.  In  this  locality  pear  trees  and  bushes  in  hedge- 
rows are  favorite  breeding  places.  The  eggs,  4  or  5  in  number,  are 
greenish  or  grayish- white,  spotted  with  different  shades  of  brown  and 
lilac  ;  measure  about  .65  long  by  .50  of  an  inch  wide.  This  bright  and 
pleasing  little  songster  may  frequently  be  observed  in  trees  and 
bushes  or  on  telegraph  wires  along  the  roadsides.  With  us,  the  Yel- 
low Warbler,  according  to  my  observations,  subsists  exclusively  on 
various  forms  of  insect-life,  especially  small  beetles,  plant-lice,  flies, 
spiders,  ants  and  larvae.  Is  is  stated,  however,  that  this  species  often 
feeds  on  small  seeds  and  berries. 

*The  Myrtle  Warbler,  Tennessee  Warbler  and  Pine  Warbler,  sometimes,  though  rarely,  feed  on 
email  fruits,  at  least  it  is  supposed  they  do,  from  the  fact  that  I  have  found  in  the  stomachs  of 
each  of  these  species,  which  were  shot  in  the  fall  or  winter  months  small  seeds  of  fruits. 


214  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GENUS  SEIURUS.     SWAINSON. 
674.  Seiurus  aurocapillus  (LINN.). 

Ovenbird. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  6  ;  extent  about  9|  inches  ;  bill  and  eyes  brown  ;  legs  flesh  color. 
Above  uniform  olive-green  with  a  tinge  of  yellow  ;  crown  with  two  black  lateral 
streaks,  which  extend  from  bill  and  enclose  a  golden  or  brownish-orange  space ; 
white  ring  around  eye ;  beneath,  white  breast  and  sides  streaked  with  dusky  or 
black.  The  young  at  first  have  no  stripes  on  top  of  head,  and  lower  parts  are  light- 
dull  brownish-yellow,  with  obscure  dusky  streaks. 

Hob.— Eastern  North  America,  north  to  Hudson's  Bay  territory  and  Alaska, 
breeding  from  Kansas,  the  Ohio  Valley  and  Virginia,  northward.  In  winter,  south- 
ern Florida,  the  West  Indies  and  Central  America. 

This  bird  is  a  common  summer  resident,  arriving  here  generally 
about  the  25th  of  April  and  remaining  until  about  the  middle  of  Sep- 
tember. During  migrations  it  is  often  found  in  thickets,  and  occa- 
sionally is  seen  in  yards  and  gardens.  In  the  summer  months  it  rarely 
is  observed  to  leave  its  favorite  retreats  in  dark  and  unfrequented  lo- 
calities in  forests.  The  Ovenbird  very  carefully  hides  its  rather 
bulky  and  loosely  built  nest  in  old  leaves,  by  the  side  of  a  log  or  un- 
der the  projecting  edges  of  brush  heaps ;  in  addition  to  such  protec- 
tions, and  to  further  conceal  its  treasures  from  the  curious  eyes  of  egg- 
collectors  or  other  predatory  animals,  the  top  is  usually  covered  over 
or  roofed  by  the  birds,  who  gain  an  entrance  through  an  opening  in 
the  side.  The  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  creamy-white,  spotted  with  reddish- 
brown.  They  measure  about  ,80  of  an  inch  long  and  .60  of  an  inch 
wide.  The  song  of  this  bird  is  exceeding  loud,  shrill  and  monotonous. 
Birds  of  this  genus,  when  walking  on  the  ground,  have  the  habit  of 
wagging  their  tails  like  the  Spotted  Sandpiper.  The  Ovenbird  sub- 
sists chiefly  on  various  forms  of  insect  life,  such  as  beetles,  earth- 
worms, crickets,  flies,  spiders  and  larvae ;  it  also  sometimes  feeds  on 
small  seeds. 

GENUS  GEOTHLYPIS.    OABANIS. 
681.  Goethlypis  trichas  (LINN.). 

Maryland  Yellow-throat. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  42.) 

Length  of  male  about  5| ;  extent  about  7|  ;  female  rather  smaller  ;  bill  black  ;  legs 
pale-brown.  Male  in  summer :  Above  olive-green ;  forehead  and  a  broad  band 
through  the  eyes  and  on  side  of  neck  pure  black,  bordered  posteriorly  with  ashy ; 
chin,  throat,  breast,  under  coverts,  and  edge  of  wing  bright  yellow,  fading  into  a 
dull  buff-white  on  belly,  wings  and  tail,  glossed  with  yellowish-olive.  Female  in 
summer  :  Colors  duller  ;  less  yellow  on  under  parts  ;  no  black  or  ashy  head  mark- 
ings; top  of  head,  especially  forehead,  reddish-brown.  The  young  generally  resem- 


Plate  42. 


-?.  ^^w/^;   ^?.  Female;  3.    Young  Male. 


BIKDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  215 

Jble  the  female,  but  young  males  may  usually  be  known  by  indistinct  black  feathers 
on  sides  of  head,  though  feather's  of  forehead  are  quite  similar  to  those  of  female. 

Hab. — Eastern  United  States,  mainly  east  of  the  Alleghanies,  north  to  Ontario  and 
Nova  Scotia,  breeding  from  Georgia  northward.  In  winter  south  Atlantic  and  Gulf 
States  and  the  West  Indies. 

In  eastern  Pennsylvania  the  Maryland  Yellow-throat  is  an  exceed- 
ingly abundant  summer  resident  from  about  May  1st  to  the  latter  part 
of  September.  During  migrations,  particularly  in  the  spring,  it  often 
visits  apple  trees  to  seek  among  the  leaves  and  blossoms  for  numer- 
ous small  insects.  Frequents  especially  thickets,  tangled  underbrush, 
brush  piles  and  high  weeds,  generally  near  streams  or  swampy  places. 
Its  voice  is  rather  loud,  yet  its  song  is  not  unmusical. 

This  species  builds  a  rather  large  cup-shaped  nest  of  leaves  and 
dried  grasses,  usually  carefully  concealed  in  a  tussock  of  grass,  among 
weeds  or  at  the  base  of  low  bushes,  commonly  in  low  and  moist  situa- 
tions.  The  eggs,  mostly  five,  are  white,  finely  speckled,  usually  about 
the  larger  end  with  black  and  brown.  They  measure  about  .70  by  .50 
of  an  inch.  The  Maryland  Yellow-throat  feeds  on  numerous  kinds  of 
small  insects  and  larvae. 

GENUS  ICTERIA.    VIEILLOT. 
683.    Icteria  virens  (LiNN.). 

Yellow-breasted  Chat. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  7± ;  extent  about  10  inches;  wings  rounded  and  shorter  than  tail, 
which  measures  about  3j  inches  iii  length  ;  bill  rather  long  (measuring  along  gape 
about  £  of  an  inch),  stout,  higher  than  broad  at  base  ;  ridge  of  upper  mandible  and 
commissure  much  curved.  Birds  of  this  genus  are  the  largest  of  the  family.  Upper 
parts  uniform  olive-green ;  chin,  throat,  chest,  breast  and  inside  of  wings  bright 
gamboge-yellow  ;  lower  part  of  belly  and  under  tail  coverts  white  ;  eye-lids,  line 
under  lower  jaw  and  a  stripe  above  the  black  lores,  white.  Bill  black  ;  feet  lead 
color. 

Hab. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  north  to  Ontario  and  southern  New 
England,  south  in  winter  to  eastern  Mexico  and  Guatemala. 

The  Yellow-breasted  Chat  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  first 
week  in  May,  and  remains  until  about  the  20th  of  September.  Al- 
though this  bird  is  an  abundant  summer  resident  in  briery  thickets 
and  tangled  undergrowth,  in  open  woods  or  along  the  edges  of  woods, 
it  is  much  oftener  heard  than  seen,  except,  perhaps,  during  the  mating 
season,  when  it  often  may  be  observed  to  mount  into  the  air,  above 
the  tops  of  its  tangled  bushy  retreats,  and  perform  most  curious  evo- 
lutions. When  migrating  this  bird  skulks  silently  about  bushes  and 
thickets,  but  when  he  locates  for  the  summer  he  becomes  one  of  the 
most  noisy  inhabitants  of  the  place.  Often  when  perched  in  a  tree 
top  near  his  favorite  retreats  his  song  is  not  unpleasant,  but  if  his 


216  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

domain  is  invaded  by  a  human  being  he  flies  into  the  bushes  and 
greets  the  intruder  with  a  most  varied  medley  of  whistling,  cackling, 
whispering,  uncouth  guttural  sounds,  yet  all  the  time  he  remains 
hidden,  and  as  he  continually  shifts  his  position  it  is  often  exceedingly 
difficult  to  detect  him,  even  though  he  continues  his  varied  sounds. 
By  remaining  perfectly  quiet  you  generally  can  catch  a  glimpse  of 
his  bright  eye  and  yellow  breast,  or  see  his  white  crissum  as  he  turns 
in  the  tangled  leafy  shrubbery.  The  nest,  composed  of  leaves,  grape- 
vine bark  and  grasses,  is  built  usually  in  briery  thickets.  The  eggs, 
four  or  five  in  number,  are  white,  marked  with  reddish  brown.  They 
measure  a  little  less  than  1  inch  in  length  and  a  trifle  over  f  wide. 
The  Chat  feeds  chiefly  on  different  forms  of  insect  life.  He  also  sub- 
sists on  wild  strawberries,  blackberries,  raspberries,  whortleberries  and 
small  wild  grapes. 

GENUS  SETOPHAGA.     SWAINSON. 
687.     Setophaga  ruticilla  (LINN.). 

American  Redstart. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  43.) 

Length  about  5£  ;  extent  about  8  inches  ;  bills  and  legs  black. 

Male. — Prevailing  color  glossy  black  ;  the  belly  and  under  tail  coverts,  white; 
some  feathers  in  the  latter  strongly  tinged  with  dark-brown  ;  bases  on  all  the  quills, 
except  the  inner  and  outer,  and  basal  half  of  all  the  tail  feathers,  except  the  middle 
one,  a  patch  on  each  side  of  the  breast,  and  lining  of  the  wings  orange-red,  of  a  ver_ 
million  shade  on  the  breast.  Female  with  the  black  replaced  by  grayish-olive 
above,  by  brownish-white  beneath  ;  the  head  tinged  with  ash  ;  a  grayish-white  lore 
and  ring  round  the  eye  ;  the  red  of  the  male  replaced  by  yellow.  Young  male  sim- 
ilar to  adult  female  but  browner  above,  the  yellow  more  of  a  reddish  hue ;  imma- 
ture males  are  often  seen  with  glossy  black  feathers  singly  or  in  patches.  Two  or 
three  years  are,  it  is  said,  required  before  this  bird  gains  its  perfect  plumage. 

Hab. — North  America,  north  to  Fort  Simpson,  west  regularly  to  the  Great  Basin, 
casually  to  the  Pacific  Coast,  breeding  from  the  middle  portion  of  the  United  States 
northward.  In  winter  the  West  Indies,  and  from  southern  Mexico  through  Cen- 
tral America  to  northern  South  America. 

The  Redstart  during  migrations — May  and  September — is  abundant 
and  very  generally  distributed  throughout  the  State.  Although  found 
in  all  sections  of  our  Commonwealth  as  a  summer  resident,  as  such  it 
is  much  more  numerous  in  the  northern  parts  and  mountainous  re- 
gions than  elsewhere.  In  Erie  and  Crawford  county  it  is  a  common 
breeder,  but  in  Chester,  Delaware,  Bucks  and  Lancaster  counties  it  is 
seldom  found  breeding.  Frequents  chiefly  forests,  but  often  in  com- 
pany with  other  warblers,  visits  fruit  and  shade  trees  about  houses, 
lawns  and  parks.  The  male,  in  his  showy  dress  of  black,  fiery  orange 
and  white,  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  inhabitants  of  the  woods. 
Like  a  Fly-catcher,  he  darts  from  his  perch  with  clicking  bill  to  secure 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  43- 


i.  Male;  3.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  217 

flying  insects.  In  addition  to  their  sharp  and  rapid  song,  these  birds 
when  hopping  about  the  trees,  frequently  spread  their  tails  ;  this  pe- 
culiar habit  of  opening  and  closing  the  tail  will  often  aid  you  in  recog- 
nizing a  Redstart,  in  the  tops  of  high  trees,  when  it  otherwise  might 
be  unknown.  The  nest  a  compact,  cup-shaped  structure,  composed  of 
various  vegetable  fibres,  spiders  webs,  and -horse- hair  is  built  in  the 
fork  or  on  the  horizontal  limb  of  a  small  tree,  6  to  25  feet  from  the 
ground.  The  eggs,  mostly  four,  are  grayish- white  or  light  greenish- 
white,  thinly  speckled  or  blotched  with  brown  and  purplish.  They 
measure  about  .63  long  by  .50  wide.  The  Redstart  feeds  exclusively 
on  an  insect  diet,  consisting  chiefly  of  flies,  spiders,  plant-lice,  butter 
flies,  beetles  and  different  larvae. 

FAMILY  TROGLODYTID-ZE.     WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY  MIMING.    THRASHERS. 
GENUS  GALEOSCOPTES.     CABANIS. 
704.     Galeoscoptes  carolinensis  (LINN.). 

Catbird. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  9  ;  extent  about  11|  inches  ;  bill  and  feet  black;  iris  brown;  pre- 
vailing color  dark  slate,  somewhat  lighter  beneath  ;  top  of  head  and  tail  black  ; 
under  tail  coverts  chestnut.  The  adult  female  is  rather  smaller  than  the  male,  and 
the  young  are  duller  in  color,  with  little  or  no  black  on  crown  ;  under  parts  paler  ; 
under  tail  coverts  dull  reddish. 

£T«6.— Eastern  United  States  and  British  Provinces,  west  to  and  including  the 
Rocky  Mountains  ;  occasional  on  the  Pacific  Coast,  Winters  in  the  Southern  States, 
Cuba  and  Middle  America  to  Panama  ;  accidental  in  Europe. 

This  well-known  bird  is  a  common  summer  resident  from  the  last 
week  in  April  to  about  November  1.  This  species  frequents  all  locali- 
ties, but  is  probably  most  numerous  in  briery  thickets  and  tangled 
undergrowth  near  streams  and  ponds.  Its  bulky  nest,  constructed 
mainly  of  dead  twigs,  roots,  to  which  are  often  added  dried  leaves  or 
grasses,  is  built  mostly  in  bushes.  The  eggs,  usually  four,  are  deep 
greenish-blue  and  unspotted.  They  measure  a  little  less  than  an  inch 
long,  and  a  trifle  under  three-fourths  wide.  These  birds,  like  some 
other  members  of  the  family,  subsist  largely  on  different  kinds  of  small 
fruits  and  berries.  In  the  early  summer  the  Catbird  feeds  on  cherries 
and  strawberries ;  later  in  the  season,  mulberries,  blackberries  and 
raspberries.  Late  in  the  summer  and  in  the  autumn  he  subsists  mainly 
on  berries  of  the  spicewood  and  poke-plant,  and  also  different  varie- 
ties of  both  cultivated  and  wild  grapes.  This  species,  in  the  spring, 
especially  in  May,  and  also  when  breeding,  feeds  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent on  various  k'  worms,"  beetles,  flies,  spiders,  etc.  The  Catbird,  so 
called  because  its  sharp  and  petulant  cry  is  not  unlike  the  mewing  of 
a  cat,  is  one  of  our  most  gifted  and  delightful  songsters. 


218  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GENUS  HARPORHYNCHTJS.     OABANIS. 
705.  Harporhynchus  rufus.     (LiNN.) 

Brown  Thrasher. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  44.^ 

Length,  about  11^  inches;  extent,  about  13  inches;  tail,  5  or  6  inches;  bill,  black,  with 
base  of  lower  mandible  yellow  ;  legs,  pale  brown;  iris  of  adult  yellow;  iris  of  young 
brown ;  upper  parts  reddish  brown ;  greater  wing-coverts  edged  with  and  middle 
lower  parts  white;  breast,  sides  and  crissum  strongly  tinged  with  reddish  brown; 
breast,  sides  and  flanks  conspicuously  spotted  with  dark  brown. 

Hab. — Eastern  United  States,  west  to  Rocky  Mountains,  north  to  southern  Maine, 
Ontario  and  Manitoba,  south  to  the  Gulf  States,  including  eastern  Texas.  Accidental 
in  Europe. 

Common  summer  resident  from  about  April  20  to  late  in  September. 
The  Brown  Thrush,  as  this  bird  is  usually  called,  is  found  in  thickets 
and  shrubbery ;  he  frequently,  especially  in  the  morning  and  evening, 
repairs  to  the  tops  of  trees,  where  for  hours  at  a  time  he  sings  his 
varied  and  beautiful  song.  Like  our  common  domestic  fowls,  he  fre- 
quently may  be  seen  scratching  among  the  dead  leaves  or  dusting  him- 
self by  the  roadside.  He  sometimes  visits  fields,  where  corn  is  being 
planted,  to  pick  up  the  scattered  grains  of  maize,  and  some  farmers 
assert  that  he  often  "  pulls  up  corn  "  when  it  first  appears  above  the 
ground.  This  species  breeds  usually  in  low  bushes,  in  briery  thickets, 
sometimes  on  the  tops  of  old  stumps  covered  with  thick  vines ;  very 
rarely,  with  us,  do  they  build  on  the  ground.  The  nest  is  a  loose  and 
bulky  structure  composed  of  small  twigs,  strips  of  bark,  leaves,  root 
lets,  etc.  The  eggs,  four  or  five  in  number,  are  a  light  greenish  or 
buffy  color,  thickly  speckled  with  reddish  brown.  They  are  a  little 
more  than  an  inch  long,  and  about  three-fourths  wide. 

Although  these  birds  are  generally  shy  and  retiring,  they  will,  if 
their  eggs  or  young  are  disturbed,  display  great  bravery  in  defending 
them.  They  will  fly  violently  into  a  person's  face  and  strike  with 
both  bill  and  claws.  When  their  home  is  invaded  by  a  black  snake, 
they  assail  such  intruder  in  a  most  vigorous  manner.  I  once  saw  a 
dog,  which  had  upset  a  nest  containing  young  Thrushes,  forced  to  make 
a  speedy  retreat  when  attacked  by  the  old  birds,  who  flew  at  his  head 
and  struck  him  in  the  eyes.  The  Brown  Thrush  feeds  chiefly  on  in- 
sects, berries  and  small  seeds. 

SUBFAMILY  TEOGLODYTIN^I.    WRENS. 

[NOTE.— Thirteen  species,  also  "  six  geographical  forms"  and  one  "local  race"  of 
this  subfamily  are  recorded  in  the  fauna  of  the  United  States.  Of  these  twenty 
species  and  varieties,  but  six  species*  are  found  in  Pennsylvania.  The  House  Wren, 
Bewick's  Wren,  also  the  Marsh  Wrens  are  found  here  only  as  summer  residents. 
The  Carolina  Wren  is  most  abundant  in  the  summer ;  though  sometimes  during 

*  See  Appendix  for  technical  names  of  species  occurring-  in  Pennsylvania. 


natural  size 


Plate  44. 


U&&. 

i,  2.  Males;  3.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  219 

mild  winters  individuals  of  this  species  are  seen  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  State. 
The  Winter  Wren  breeds  sparingly  in  the  more  northern  portions  of  this  Common- 
wealth, and  during  the  winter  months  is  very  generally  distributed  throughout  tne 
State.  Wrens  are  plainly  attired,  different  shades  of  brown  being  the  prevailing 
color,  These  small,  musical,  active  and  quarrelsome  birds  are  usually  seen  with  the 
tail  erect.  They  hide  in  thickets,  weeds  and  grasses,  holes  in  trees  or  rocks,  also  in 
boxes,  and  manifest  "a  fondness  for  prying  into  holes  and  dark  places."  Wrens  are 
notorious  for  their  scolding  propensity,  and  in  this  particular  they  are  not*  unlike 
some  females  of  the  human  race,  whose  chief  object  in  life  it  would  appear  is  to  al- 
ways annoy  those  about  them.  In  writing  of  these  birds,  Dr.  Coues  says  :  "They 
are  sprightly,  fearless  and  impudent  little  creatures,  apt  to  show  bad  temper  when 
they  fancy  themselves  aggrieved  by  cats  or  people,  or  anything  else  that  is  big  and 
unpleasant  to  them."  Marsh  Wrens,  as  the  name  would  indicate,  inhabit  marshes 
or  swampy  places  along  rivers  ;  they  reside  also  in  rank  vegetation  in  sloughs  and 
ponds.  Long-billed  Marsh  Wrens  often  nest  together  in  colonies,  and  construct 
globular  nests,  with  small  openings  in  the  sides.  These  nests,  suspended  in  herbage, 
are  usually  about  a  foot  or  eighteen  inches  above  the  water.  When  erecting  these 
swaying  houses,  composed  of  coarse  grass  blades,  dead  leaves,  lined  with  feathers  or 
soft  vegetable  materials,  the  little  builders  are  careful  to  fix  them  firmly  to  the  strong 
coarse  grasses  or  stems  and  leaves  of  plants  which  grow  high  above  the  water.  Their 
eggs,  6  and  sometimes  10  in  number,  are  a  uniform  chocolate-brown  color.  The 
short-billed  Marsh  Wren  is  said  to  build  a  nest  similar  to  that  of  the  Long-billed 
species,  but  its  eggs  differ  from  those  of  all  other  of  our  Wrens,  in  being  white  and 
unspotted.  The  other  of  our  native  Wrens  nest  in  holes  of  trees,  hollow  fence  rails, 
or  in  logs  and  stumps,  in  shrubbery,  boxes  and  "various  odd  nooks  and  corners" 
about  buildings.  Their  eggs  are  white,  spotted  or  blotched  with  different  shades  of 
brown.  The  eggs  of  the  largest  species— Carolina  Wren— measure  about  .75  of  an 
inch  long  and  about  .60  wide ;  those  of  other  Wrens  are  smaller,  being  about  .68 
long  by  .50  wide.  The  Wrens  feed  entirely  on  an  insect  diet] 

GENUS  TROGLODYTES.     VIEILLOT. 
721.    Troglodytes  aedon.     YIEILL. 

House  "Wren. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  45.) 

Length  about  4^  inches  ;  extent  about  6f ;  bill,  legs  and  eyes  brown,  above  brown, 
rusty  on  rump  and  tail ;  lower  parts  dull  brownish-white  or  grayish-white  ;  more  or 
less  waved  or  barred  with  darker  shades — back  very  obscurely  or  not  at  all  barred. 

Hab. — Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada  wrest  to  Indiana  and  Louisiana. 

Common  summer  resident.  Arrives  here  usually  about  April  20, 
and  remains  until  the  1st  of  October.  During  the  summer  is  found 
mostly  about  orchards  and  in* shrubbery  near  buildings.  When  mi- 
grating these  birds  are  often  seen  in  woods,  but  they  seldom  breed 
there.  The  nest  of  twigs,  wool,  strings,  feathers,  hair,  grasses,  etc.,  is 
built  in  various  odd  places — holes  in  trees,  boxes  and  hollow  fence 
rails  are  the  most  usual  building  places.  They  will  build  also  in  an 
old  hat,  the  sleeve  of  an  old  coat  or  back  of  loose  weather  boards  on 
buildings.  In  the  summer  of  1888,  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett  and  the  writer 
found  a  nest,  with  four  young,  built  in  a  cavity  in  a  sand  bank  along 
the  roadside.  The  eggs,  6  to  9,  mostly  7,  measure  about  .65  long  by 
.50  wide.  They  are  pinkish  or  creamy  white,  speckled  with  reddish 


220  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

brown ;  the  brown  markings  are  generally  darker  colored  about  the 
larger  end,  though  the  lighter  ground  color- is  often  almost  entirely 
hidden  by  the  brown  coloration.  With  us  at  least  two  broods  are 
raised  in  a  season.  The  House  Wren  feeds  on  beetles,  spiders,  flies, 
"  moth-flies,"  grasshoppers  and  larvae. 

722.  Troglodytes  hiemalis.     VIEILL. 

Winter  Wren. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  4 ;  extent  about  6  inches ;  upper  bill,  end  of  lower,  tarsi  and  eyes 
brown,  rest  of  lower  bill  and  toes  yellowish-brown.  Above  reddish-brown,  darkest 
on  head,  brightest  on  rump  and  tail.  Everywhere  except  on  head  and  upper  part 
of  back  with  transverse  bars  of  dusky  and  lighter  ;  lower  parts  pale  reddish-brown  ; 
belly,  flanks  and  crissum  strongly  barred  with  blackish  and  wnitish  ;  the  outer  webs 
of  several  primaries  barred  with  white  and  dusky  ;  an  obscure  line  over  eye,  and 
streaks  or  spots  on  sides  of  head  and  neck  whitish. 

Hab. — Eastern  North  America  generally,  breeding  from  the  northern  parts  of  the 
United  States  northward,  and  wintering  from  about  its  southern  breeding  limit 
southward. 

Common  winter  resident  from  early  in  October  to  about  the  middle 
of  April.  During  its  residence  with  us,  frequents  chiefly  overhanging 
banks  of  streams,  the  projecting  or  upturned  roots  of  trees,  brush 
piles  and  dead  logs,  in  woods  or  thickets  near  watery  places.  The 
sharp  chirr  of  this  sly  and  secretive  little  creature  may  often  be 
heard — though  the  bird  is  hidden  from  view — in  wood  piles  about 
houses,  where  it  comes  to  seek  insects  and  larvas,  on  which  it  feeds 
exclusively.  I  have  never  seen  the  nest  or  eggs  of  the  Winter  Wren. 
The  nest  is  said  to  be  built  generally  in  u  thick  coniferous  woods,"  in 
a  hole  or  crevice  of  a  stump  or  log.  close  to  the  ground,  and  con- 
structed of  moss,  twigs,  lichens,  lined  with  feathers  or  hair.  u  Eggs 
5-8,  .65  by  .48,  pure  white,  minutely  dotted  with  reddish-brown  and 
purplish." — ( Coues). 

FAMILY  PARID2B.     NUTHATCHES  AND  TITS. 
SUBFAMILY  SITTINGS.  .,  NUTHATCHES. 

GENUS  SITTA.     LINNAEUS. 
727.  Sitta  carolinensis.     LATH. 

White-breasted  Nuthatch;  White-bellied  Nuthatch. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  46'.) 

Length  about  6  ;  extent  about  11  inches  ;  bill  blue-black,  base  of  lower  mandible 
paler  ;  legs  and  iris  brown.  Adult  male. — Back  and  rump  ashy-blue  ;  top  of  head 
and  back  of  neck  glossy  black ;  tail  (except  two  middle  feathers,  which  are  same 
color  as  back),  black  spotted  with  white;  lower  parts  and  sides  of  head  and  neck 


natural  size. 


Plate  46. 


i.  Male;   2.  Females. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  221 

white  ;    flanks  and  lower  tail  coverts  rusty  brown.     Female  and  young  similar, 
though  the  black  on  head  is  indistinct,  or  sometimes  absent. 

Hab. — Southern  British  Provinces  and  eastern  United  States  to  the  Rocky  mount- 
ains. 

The  White-breasted  Nuthatch,  generally  known  in  this  locality  by 
the  name  of  "  Sap-sucker,"  is  a  common  resident  throughout  the  State. 
During  the  summer  this  species  inhabits  trees  in  groves  and  forests, 
but  in  winter  it  visits  trees  of  orchards,  yards  and  gardens  in  quest  of 
food.  The  name  of  u  Sap-sucker,"  given  to  this  bird  and  also  to  the 
Downy  and  Hairy  Woodpeckers,  is  when  so  used  a  misnomer,  as 
neither  the  Nuthatch  or  either  of  the  Woodpeckers  ever  feed  on  sap. 
Nuthatches,  like  Woodpeckers,  creep  about  the  trunks  and  limbs  of 
trees  searching  for  insects,  or  their  eggs,  and  various  larvae.  A  Nut- 
hatch will  descend  the  vertical  trunks  and  limbs  of  trees  head  down- 
ward ;  a  Woodpecker  cannot  do  this.  The  Nuthatch  deposits  its  eggs, 
usually  5  or  6  in  number,  in  a  warm  bed  of  feathers,  hair  and  grasses 
which  are  placed  in  holes  of  trees.  The  eggs  are  white,  speckled  with 
reddish  brown ;  about  .75  long  by  .55  wide.  These  birds,  in  addition  to 
feeding  on  various  forms  of  insect-life,  also  eat  nuts,  acorns,  Indian 
corn,  and  various  seeds,  which  they  frequently  stick  into  the  crevices 
of  bark  or  in  cracks  of  fence  rails,  and  hammer  away  with  their  bills 
until  the  nut  or  other  food  stuff  is  sufficiently  broken  that  it  may  be 
swallowed. 

SUBFAMILY  PARING.     TITMICE. 
GENUS  PARUS.     LINN^US. 
731.    Parus  bicolor.     Lixx. 

Tufted  Titmouse. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  6 ;  extent  about  10  inches;  bill  black;  iris  brown;  legs  lead  color; 
crown  with  a  conspicuous  crest ;  upper  parts  ashy  or  leaden-gray ;  forehead  dull 
sooty-black  ;  lower  parts  whitish  ;  sides  and  flanks  rusty  brown.  In  the  young  the 
crest  is  shorter,  the  black  of  the  forehead,  also  the  rusty  brown  of  the  sides  very  in- 
distinct. 

Hab. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  but  rare  towards  the  northern  border, 
being  a  straggler  merely  to  southern  New  England. 

Common  resident,  generally  found  in  forests,  yet  it  often,  especially 
in  winter,  comes  around  dwellings.  May  easily  be  recognized  by  its 
loud  whistling  notes  or  its  ordinary  cry  of  dee,  dee,  dee.  Although 
this  bird  usually  nests  in  holes  of  trees,  in  woods,  it  occasionally  builds 
in  boxes  about  houses.  The  nest  is  composed  of  feathers,  dried 
grasses,  leaves,  etc.  The  eggs,  about  |  of  an  inch  long  and  a  little 
more  than  -J-  wide,  usually  5  or  6  in  number,  are  white,  speckled  with 
reddish-brown  and  lilac.  The  Tufted  Titmouse  feeds  on  various  forms 
of  insect  life,  also  seeds  of  various  weeds  and  grasses,  and  at  times  he 
subsists  on  small  herries. 


222  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

735.    Parus  atricapillus  (LINN.). 

Chickadee. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  47.} 

Length  about  5§  inches ;  extent  about  8  inches ;  bill  black ;  legs  bluish  gray ; 
iris  brown.  Back  brownish  ashy  ;  top  of  head,  chin  and  throat  black  ;  sides  of 
head  white  ;  beneath  whiteish  ;  brownish  on  sides  ;  wing  and  tail  feathers  more  or 
less  margined  with  white. 

Hab. — Eastern  North  America,  north  of  the  Potomac  and  Ohio  Valleys. 

Common  resident ;  found  in  all  .localities,  but  during  the  summer 
these  birds  are  usually  seen  in  woods  and  thickets,  from  which  in  win- 
ter they  often  come  about  houses,  or,  in  small  flocks,  frequent  weedy 
places  in  fields  and  swamps  in  search  of  food.  The  common  name 
arises  from  their  familiar  note  of  chick- a- dee- dee.  These  birds  some- 
times nest  in  natural  cavities,  but  generally  Woodpecker-like,  they 
excavate  holes  in  trees,  stumps,  etc.,  in  which  they  build  a  nest  of 
hair,  feathers,  moss,  fine  dried  grasses  or  other  soft  materials.  The 
eggs,  mostly  6  or  7,  sometimes  more,  are  white,  spotted  or  dotted 
chiefly  about  the  larger  end  with  reddish-brown ;  measure  about  .60 
long  by  .50  wide.  The  Chickadee  feeds  on  different  forms  of  insect 
life  and  seeds  of  various  weeds,  grass  and  other  plants.  Crumbs  of 
bread,  pieces  of  meat,  fragments  of  apples,  pears  and  other  fruits  are 
also  eaten. 

FAMILY  SYLVIIDJE.     KINGLETS,  ETC. 
SUBFAMILY  EEGULIN^I.    KINGLETS. 
GENUS  REGULUS.     CUVIER. 
748.  Regulus  satrapa.     LIGHT. 

Golden-crowned  Kinglet. 

DESCRIPTION.   (Plate  48.) 

Length  about  4 ;  extent  about  6. 50 ;  legs  brownish-yellow ;  feet  yellowish  ;  bill 
black  ;  iris  brown.  Upper  parts  olive-green  ;  wings  and  tail  dusky,  edged  with  yel- 
lowish ;  crown  (adult  male)  bordered  in  front,  also  on  sides  with  black,  embracing 
a  central  patch  of  fiery  orange-red  encircled  by  yellow.  The  female  lias  no  flame- 
colored  patch ;  crown  is  entirely  yellow,  margined  with  black ;  wing  and  tail 
feathers  edged  with  yellowish  ;  lower  parts  dull  whitish. 

Hab.— North  America  generally,  breeding  in  the  northern  and  elevated  parts  of 
the  United  States,  and  northward,  migrating  south  in  winter  to  Guatemala. 

Common  winter  resident  from  about  the  middle  of  October  to  the 
middle  of  April.  This  species  is  most  numerous  in  October,  Novem- 
ber, March  and  April,  or  when  migrating  south  and  north.  The  Golden- 
crowned  Kinglet  frequents  the  tops  of  tall  forest  trees  as  well  as  low 
bushes,  and  frequently,  particularly  when  migrating  in  the  spring  and 
fall,  is  found,  in  company  with  the  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet  (R.  calen- 


natural  size. 


Plate  47. 


i.  Male;   2.  Fsmcde. 


of  natural  size. 


Plate   48. 


I 


i.  Male;   2.  Female. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  223 

dwla),  in  apple  orchards.  Kinglets  are  generally  seen  in  small  flocks. 
They  feed  exclusively  on  various  forms  of  insect  life ;  they  are  very 
expert  in  capturing  small  insects  upon  the  wing,  and  destroy  great 
numbers  of  plant-lice,  flies,  ants,  besides  devouring  large  numbers  of 
insect  eggs  and  larvae. 

FAMILY  TURDID.2E.     THRUSHES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 
SUBFAMILY  TURDIN^I.    THRUSHES. 
GENUS  TURDUS.     LINN^US. 
755.  Turdus  mustelinus.    GMEL. 

Wood  Thrush ;  Wood  Robin. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length  about  8;  extent  about  13  inches;  bill  blackish,  yellowish  at  base;  legs  flesh 
color;  iris  brown.  Upper  parts  clear  cinnamon  brown,  brightest  on  top  of  head,  and 
shading  into  olive  on  rump  and  tail;  lower  parts  pure  white,  and  everywhere,  ex- 
cept on  chin,  throat,  middle  of  belly  and  under  tail  coverts,  marked  with  roundish, 
dusky  spots. 

Hob.—  Eastern  United  States  to  the  plains,  north  to  southern  Michigan,  Ontario 
and  Massachusetts  ;  south  in  winter  to  Guatemala  and  Cuba, 

Abundant  summer  resident  from  about  the  last  week  in  April  to 
October  1.  The  Wood  Robin,  the  name  by  which  the  Wood  Thrush 
is  best  known  in  tnis  region,  is  a  common  inhabitant  of  woods.  It 
especially  delights  to  frequent  bushes  in  woodland,  near  streams  or 
other  watery  places.  The  sweet,  ringing,  bell-like  notes  of  this  bird 
are  such  that  it  justly  ranks  as  one  of  our  most  entertaining  songsters. 
It  builds  a  compact  and  rather  large  nest  of  mud,  leaves  and  dried 
grasses  in  trees  and  bushes,  usually  in  low  or  damp  woods.  The  eggs, 
commonly  four,  are  light  greenish  blue,  and  measure  about  one  inch 
long  by  three-fourths  wide.  The  Wood  Thrush  feeds  on  numerous 
forms  of  insect  life,  it  devours  large  numbers  of  beetles,  earth-worms, 
crickets,  flies,  larvae,  etc.,  and  also,  like  the  Common  Robin,  subsists 
on  various  small  fruits  and  berries. 

GENUS  MERULA.     LEACH. 
761.  Merula  migratoria     (LINN). 

American  Robin. 

(Plate 49,  old  and  yonng.) 

Length  about  9|;  extent  about  16  inches;  bill  yellow,  upper  mandible  tipped  with 
black;  iris  brown;  legs  and  feet  brownish;  above  plain  grayish,  blackish  on  head, 
tail  and  sides  of  neck;  lower  parts  reddish  brown,  paler  in  female;  lower  part  of  belly, 
anal  region  and  under  tail  coverts  white;  some  specimens  have  under  tail  coverts 
spotted  with  grayish  brown;  outer  tail  feathers  tipped  with  white;  young  are  spotted 
above  and  below. 


224  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Hab.— Eastern  North  America  to  Rocky  Mountains,  including  eastern  Mexico 
and  Alaska.  Breeds  from  near  the  southern  border  of  the  United  States  northward 
to  the  Arctic  coast;  winters  from  southern  Canada  and  the  Northern  States  (irregu- 
larly) southward. 

This  familiar  bird  is  abundant  throughout  the  State  during  the 
spring,  summer  and  autumn.  In  the  winter  months  it  is  not  uncom- 
mon to  find  small  flocks  about  cedar  thickets,  swamps  and  other  well 
sheltered  localities.  At  times,  other  than  when  breeding,  Robins  ure 
gregarious.  Late  in  the  summer  and  autumn  they  collect  in  good- 
sized  flocks  and  repair  every  evening  to  some  favorite  roosting  resort, 
where  they  are  found  often  in  company  with  Cowbirds  and  Purple 
Grackles.  The  Robin  seems  in  no  way  particular  about  the  site  se- 
lected for  its  bulky  nest  of  mud,  leaves,  dried  grass,  etc.  Although 
it  usually  builds  in  a  tree,  it  frequently  nests  under  an  overhanging 
bank  along  the  roadside,  or  under  a  porch,  and  occasionally  on  fence- 
rails.  In  May,  1880,  a  friend  of  mine  found,  near  West  Chester,  a 
nest  of  this  bird  built  on  the  ground  in  the  middle  of  a  woods,  and 
concealed  by  May-apple  plants.  The  eggs,  usually  four  or  five  in 
number,  are  light  bluish  green,  and  measure  about  1.16  long  by  .79 
wide.  With  us  at  least  two  broods  are  raised  each  season.  By  farmers 
and  fruit  growers  the  Robin  is  very  generally  regarded  as  a  nuisance, 
because  of  his  fondness  for  various  small  fruits.  The  following  notes 
and  remarks  on  the  food,  it  is  hoped,  will  suffice  to  show  that  this 
species  is  at  least  somewhat  beneficial  to  the  agriculturist  and  pomolo- 
gist,  even  though  it  will,  at  certain  periods  of  the  year,  subsist  largely 
on  a  fruit  diet:  In  the  early  part  of  June,  1879,  twenty- three  robins 
were  captured  on  the  same  date  and  in  East  Bradford,  Pa.  The  birds 
were  taken  in  an  apple  orchard,  or  in  the  act  of  going  to  or  from  cherry 
trees  located  near  said  orchard.  Thirteen  birds  of  this  series  showed, 
on  dissection,  remains  of  cherries;  five  of  the  thirteen  had  only  this 
fruit  in  their  viscera.  The  remaining  eight  birds  had,  in  addition,  and 
certainly  with  two  exceptions,  in  excess,  insect  food,  consisting  mainly 
of  small  brown  and  black  beetles.  One  bird  had  in  its  stomach  two 
earth-worms.  Seven  young  birds,  taken  from  the  nests,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  one  that  had  a  small  piece  of  cherry,  which,  however,  was 
present  in  connection  with  a  large  insect  mass,  furnished  only  proof 
of  an  insectivorous  diet,  which  was  so  comminuated  as  to  be  almost 
unrecognizable.  Sufficient  evidences,  however,  were  present  to  es- 
tablish the  fact  that  beetles  were  an  important  element  in  their  bill  of 
fare.  Two  birds  destitute  of  all  food  materials. 

Dr.  Coues  (Birds  of  the  Colorado  Valley),  writes:  "The  Robin  is 
a  great  eater  of  berries  and  soft  fruits  of  every  description,  and  these 
furnish,  during  the  colder  portion  of  the  }rear,  its  chief  sustenance. 
Some  of  the  cultivated  fruits  of  the  orchard  and  garden  are  specially 
attractive,  and  no  doubt  the  birds  demand  their  tithe.  But  the  dam- 


of  naiiu  il  -i/c 


Plate  49. 


Y 

i    Male ;  '2.  F cw^c  - 


BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 


225 


age  in  this  way  is  trifling  at  most,  and  wholly  inconsiderable  in  com- 
parison with  the  great  benefit  resulting  from  the  destruction  of  nox- 
ious insects  by  this  bird.  The  prejudice  which  some  persons  enter- 
tain against  the  Kobin  is  unreasonable ;  the  wholesale  slaughter  of 
the  birds  which  annually  takes  place  in  many  localities,  is  as  sense- 
less as  it  is  cruel.  Few  persons  have  any  adequate  idea  of  the  enor- 
mous, the  literally  incalcuable,  numbers  of  insects  that  Robins  eat 
every  year.  It  has  been  found,  by  careful  and  accurate  observations, 
that  a  young  Eobin,  in  the  nest,  requires  a  daily  supply  of  animal 
food  equivalent  to  considerable  more  than  its  own  weight.  When  we 
remember  that  some  millions  of  pairs  of  Robins  raise  five  or  six  young 
ones  once,  twice,  or  even  three  times  a  year,  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
resulting  destruction  of  insects  is.  as  I  have  said,  incalculable.  I  have 
no  doubt  that  the  services  of  these  birds,  during  the  time  they  are  en- 
gaged in  rearing  their  young  alone,  would  entitle  them  to  protection, 
were  the  parents  themselves  to  feed  exclusively  upon  garden-fruits 
for  the  whole  period.  But  at  this  time  the  diet  of  the  old  birds  is  very 
largely  of  an  animal  nature  *  nor  is  this  the  only  season  during  which 
the  destruction  of  insects  goes  on.  Upon  the  first  arrival  of  the  main 
body  of  the  birds  early  in  the  spring,  long  before  any  fruits  are  ripe, 
they  throw  themselves  into  newly-plowed  fields,  and  scatter  over 
meadows,  lawns  and  parks,  in  eager  search  for  the  worms  and  grubs 
that,  later  in  the  season,  would  prove  invincible  to  the  agriculturist 
were  not  their  ravages  thus  stayed  in  advance  by  the  friendly  army 
of  Robins." 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-M  ATERI  A  LS. 

1 
2 

January  3,  1883, 
January  8,  1883, 

New  Castle  county,  Bel  , 
New  Castle  county,  Del  , 

Wild  grapes. 
Small  seeds  and  remains  of  beetles. 

3 

Feb.        18,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Fa,, 

Beetles. 

4 

March    15,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Beetles, 

5 

March    15,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Beetles. 

6 

March    15,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa,, 

Beetles. 

7 

March    15,  1S79, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Beetles  and  earth-worms. 

8 

March     15,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa,, 

Earth-worms. 

9 

March    15,  1879, 

Chester  county,  Pa,, 

Beetles. 

JO 

March      6,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa,, 

Cut-  worms. 

11 

Mar.    8,  10,  1880, 

Willistown,  Pa.,  .   . 

Small  worms  (stomach  distended). 

12 

Mar.    8,  10,  1880, 

Willistown,  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  worms  (stomach  distended). 

13 

Mar.    8,  10,  1880, 

Willistown,  Pa,,   .    . 

Beetles  and  small  seeds. 

14 

March    31,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa., 

Beetles,    grasshoppers    and    grub- 

worm. 

15 

March    31,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa,, 

Beetles  and  larvrc. 

16 

April        9,  1879, 

East  Bradford,  Pa., 

Beetles. 

17 

April        9,  1879, 

East  Bradford,  Pa,, 

Beetles. 

18 

April      13,  1879, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  earth-worms. 

19 

April      13,  1879, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  . 

Beetles  and  earth-worms. 

20 

April      22,  1879, 

East  Bradford,  Pa,,    . 

Beetles. 

21 

April      22,  1879, 

East  Bradford,  Pa,,    . 

Beetles. 

22 

April        2,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa,,    . 

Beetles. 

23 

April        7,  1880, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,     . 

Beetles  and  earth-worms. 

24 

April        4,  1883, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,     . 

Beetles. 

25> 

April       12,  1883, 

East  Bradford,  Pa,,    .    . 

Beetles. 

15  BIRDS. 

.226 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


No. 

DATE. 

LOCALITY. 

FOOD-MATERIALS. 

26 

April      12,  1883, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Beetles  and  other  insects. 

27 

April       17,  1883, 

East  Bradford,  Pa.,    .    . 

Beetles. 

28 

May          4,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .   . 

Beetles. 

29 

May          4,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles. 

30 

May        12,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  apterous  insects. 

31 

May        12,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  earth-worms. 

32 

May        20,  1880, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  earth-worms. 

33 

May          5,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles. 

34 

May          7,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  seeds  and  flies. 

35 

May          7,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  worms  and  beetles. 

36 

37 

May        18,  1883, 
May        27,  1883, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 
West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Spiders. 
Vegetable  matter  and  few  particles 

of  oyster  shells. 

38 

July        12,  1880, 

West  Chester.  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Berries  and  small  seeds. 

39 

July        12,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    . 

Small  seeds. 

40 

July       23,  1882, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Berries  and  earth-worm. 

41 

August  18,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

42 

August  18,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

43 

August  20,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

44 

August  20,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

45 

Sept.         9,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Wild  cherries'. 

46 

Sept.         9,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

47 

Sept.         9,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

WTild  cherries. 

48 

Sept.         9,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

49 

Sept.         9,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

50 

Sept,         9,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

51 

Sept.         9,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

52 

Sept.       21,  1882, 

Chesler  county,  Pa.,  .   . 

Wild  cherries. 

53 

Sept,       21,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

54 

Sept.       21,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

!  55 

Sept.       21,  18S2, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

;  56 

Sept.       21,  1882, 

Chester  county,  Pa.,  .    . 

Wild  cherries. 

!  57 

October   2,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Spicewood  and  Dogwood  berries. 

58 

October   2,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .   .   . 

Spicewood  and  Dogwood  berries. 

59 

October    2,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Spicewood  and  Dogwood  berries. 

60 

October   2,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .   .    . 

Spicewood  and  Dogwood  berries. 

61 

October   3,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    . 

Beetles  and  Dogwood  berries. 

62 

October   3,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Beetles  and  Dogwood  berries. 

63 

October   4,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .   .    . 

Spicewood  berries. 

64 

October    4,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Dogwood  berries. 

65 

October    4,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .   .    . 

Dogwood  berries. 

66' 

October    8,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Dogwood  berries  and  small  shells. 

67 

October    8,  1880. 

West.  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Dogwood  berries  and  small  seeds. 

68 

October    8,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .   .   . 

Dogwood  berries. 

69 

October    8,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Chicken  grapes  and  beetles. 

•70 

October    8,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Chicken  grapes. 

71 

October   8,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .   .    . 

Chicken  grapes. 

72 

October   8,  1880, 

West  Chester,  Pa.,  .    .    . 

Chicken  grapes. 

73 

Nov.        12,  1884, 

EastGoshen,  Pa.,    .    .    . 

Beetles  and  few  grub-worms. 

74 

Dec.        20,  1884, 

Newark,  Delaware,    .    . 

Berries. 

75 

Dec.        25,  1884, 

Newark,  Delaware,    .    . 

Berries  and  insects. 

GENUS  SIALIA.     SWAINSON. 
7B6.  Sialia  sialis  (LiNN.). 

Bluebird. 

DESCRIPTION.     (Plate  so.) 

Length,  about  6|  ;  extent,  about  12|  inches,  bill  and  legs  blackish;  iris  brown. 
Adult  male  in  summer,  upper  parts  uniform  azure  blue,  sides  of  head  and  fore 
part  of  chin  blue  ;  throat,  breast  and  sides  reddish  brown  ;  abdomen,  anal  region  and 


of  natural  size. 


Plate  50. 


i.  Male;  2.  Female;  3.   Young. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  227 

under  tail  coverts  white.  Male  iu  fall  and  winter :  blue  duller,  feathers  of  the  head 
neck  and  back  edged  with  rusty  ;  w^hite  on  abdomen  more  extended ;  the  reddish 
brown  or  chestnut  on  the  throat  and  breast  is  darker.  Adult  female,  upper  parts 
dull  grayish  blue,  brightest  on  rump,  tail  and  wings ;  lower  parts  similar  to  male 
but  much  duller. 

Hab. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  eastern  base  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  north 
to  Manitoba,  Ontario  and  Nova  Scotia,  south,  in  winter,  from  the  Middle  States  to 
the  Gulf  States  and  Cuba.  Bermudas,  resident. 

This  common  and  well  known  species  is  found  in  Pennsylvania 
during  all  months  of  the  year,  but  in  the  height  of  the  winter  season 
they  are  much  more  plentiful  in  the  southern  counties  than  elsewhere 
in  this  region.  In  summer  Bluebirds  are  abundant  and  generally  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  State.  These  birds,  when  not  engaged  in 
building,  are  usually  seen  in  flocks  of  from  ten  to  twenty  each,  some- 
times, however,  particularly  in  the  fall,  they  collect  together  in  large 
numbers,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  following  extract  taken  from  one 
of  my  note  books :  u  October  23,  '84,  Girard  Manor,  Schuylkill  county, 
Pa.  Bluebirds  very  abundant;  a  flock  of  about  two  hundred  have 
every  day  for  the  past  two  weeks  been  observed  distributed  over  the 
field  surrounding  the  residence  of  my  friend  and  host  M.  M.  MacMil- 
lan,  Esq.,  busily  engaged  in  feeding  or  dressing  their  plumage  while 
they  perch  on  the  leafless  branches  of  the  numerous  young  trees 
scattered  along  the  fences.  When  feeding  the  birds  confine  their 
operations  to  the  ground  and  feed  chiefly  on  grasshoppers,  which  are 
abundant.  The  fields  about  here  appear  to  be  favorite  feeding  resorts, 
as  they  come  in  large  numbers  in  the  morning,  and  remain,  if  not 
driven  away,  for  about  two  hours.  They  also  come  in  the  afternoon, 
but  not  in  such  large  numbers."  The  Bluebird  builds  a  scanty  and 
loosely  constructed  nest  of  dried  grasses,  feathers  or  other  soft  mate- 
rials in  holes  of  trees  or  stumps,  in  bird-boxes,  or  in  hollows  of  posts 
and  fence  rails.  The  eggs,  usually  four  or  five  in  number,  are  light 
blue  and  unspotted.  They  measure  about  .81  long  by  .62  wide.  The 
eggs  of  this  bird  sometimes  though  very  rarely  are  white.  Two  broods 
are  raised  in  a  season.  When  insect-life  can  be  found  these  birds 
prefer  it  to  any  other  diet,  but  in  the  winter  season  when  such  food  is 
not  easily  obtained  they  feed  on  various  small  fruits  and  berries. 


APPENDIX. 


LIST  OF  THE  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


[The  number  following  the  common  name  corresponds  to  the  number  in  the 
A.  O.  U.  Check-list  of  1886.] 

The  following  list,  embracing  three  hundred  and  ten  species  and 
sub-species,*  is  based  chiefly  on  observations  made  during  the  past 
ten  years  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  especially  in  the  counties  of  Ches- 
ter, Delaware  and  Lancaster.  Birds  which  breed  in  this  State  are 
designated  by  an  asterisk  (*)  which  precedes  the  scientific  name. 
Most  of  the  species  thus  marked  are  common  during  the  summer  sea- 
son ;  some  few  remain  with  us  all  months  of  the  year,  they  are  so 
indicated  by  the  word  resident.  The  terms  straggler  and  accidental 
visitant  is  applied  to  birds  which  when  found  here  have  wandered 
from  their  common  range  e.  g.  Dendroica  townsendi.  The  words 
winter  resident  signify  that  a  bird  is  found  in  this  region  during 
the  winter  season.  For  instance  the  Tree  Sparrow  (S.  monticola), 
is  a  winter  resident;  it  occurs  in  Pennsylvania  from  about  October  15 
to  probably  the  middle  of  April,  when  it  returns'  to  the  far  north  to 
breed.  Spring  and  fall  migrants  are  those  which  winter  beyond  the 
southern  limits  of  Pennsylvania,  and  pass  through  our  State  in  the 
months  of  March,  April  and  May,  and  after  rearing  their  young  in 
more  northern  States,  or  as  some  of  them  do,  in  the  Arctic  regions, 
return  again  in  August,  September  and  October  to  their  winter  re- 
sorts. I  doubt  not  that  a  thorough  investigation  of  our  mountainous 
regions  and  larger  water  courses  will  show  that  other  species  occur 
here  as  summer  residents  or  as  spring  and  fall  migrants.  In  the 
preparation  of  this  list  I  have  been  materially  aided  by  manuscript 
notes  kindly  furnished  by  the  late  John  Krider,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
and  the  late  H.  B.  Graves,  of  Berks  county,  but  formerly  a  resident 
of  West  Chester,  Pa.  Quotations  have  also  been  made  from  Robert 
Ridgway's  Manual  of  N.  A.  £firds,  Dr.  Elliott  Coues'  Key  to  N.  A. 

*"A  variation,  usually  geographical,  of  a  species,  but  not  accorded  full  specific  rauk  on 
account  of  the  incompleteness  of  its  differentiation ;  hence,  usually  a  geographical  race  or 
form."— Nomenclature  of  Colors,  by  Robert  Ridoway. 

(229) 


230  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Birds,  Prof.  Thomas  G.  Gentry's  Life- Histories  of  Birds  of  Eastern 
Pennsylvania,  Dr.  Turnbull's  Birds  of  East  Pennsylvania,  the  Messrs. 
Baird  List  of  the  Birds,  Carlisle,  Pa.,  and  the  several  lists  and  cata- 
logues of  the  birds  of  Chester  county,  Pa.,  published  by  the  late  Dr. 
Ezra  Michener,  Toughkenamon,  Pa.,  the  late  Vincent  Barnard  and 
Mr.  Chas.  J.  Pennock,  of  Kennett  Square,  Pa.  Through  the  kind- 
ness of  my  esteemed  friend  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett,  of  Erie,Pa.,  I  have 
been  able  to  give  in  this  report  information  relative  to  species  in  the 
north-western  part  of  the  State. 

Family  PODICIPIM.     The  Grebes. 

1.  Colymbus  holbcellii  (Reinh.). 

Holbcell's  Grebe.  2.     Winter  visitant. 

2.  C.  auritus  Linn. 

Horned  Grebe.  3.     Winter  visitant* 

3.  Podilymbus podiceps  (Linn.). 

Pied-billed  Grebe.  6.     Winter  visitant 

Family  URINATORIDJE.    The  Loons. 

4.  Urinator  imber  (Gunn.). 

Loon.  7.     Winter  visitant. 
6.    U.  arcticus  (Linn.). 

Black-throated  Loon.  9.     Very  rare  or  accidental  visitant.     A  specimen  is 
said  to  have  been  taken,  by  the  late  John  Krider,  near  Philadelphia. 

6.  IT.  lumme  (Gunn.). 

Red-throated  Loon.    11.      Rare  visitant  in  eastern  Pennsylvania.      This 
species  is  said  to  be  "not  rare  on  Lake  Erie,  especially  in  the  fall." 

Family  ALCID^E.     The  Murres,  Puffins,  etc. 

7.  Fratercula  arctica  (Linn.). 

Puffin.  13.  Accidental  winter  visitant— Krider. 

8.  Oepphus  grylle  (Linn.). 

Black  Guillemot.  27.     Specimens  have  been  taken  in  winter  on  the  Dela- 
ware, Schuylkill  and  Susquehanna  rivers. 

9.  C.  mandtii  (Licht.). 

Mandt's  Guillemot.  28.     Sonie  few  winters  ago  a  specimen  was  taken  near 

Philadelphia, 
10.    Uria  lomvia  (Linn.). 

Brunmch's  Murre.  31.     Accidental  winter  visitant.     A  specimen  stuffed 
by  Mr.  C.  D.  Wood,  of  Philadelphia,  was  said  to  have  been  captured  in 
the  winter  of  1880  on  an  ice-pond  in  Delaware  county. 
IL  Alle  alle  (Linn.). 

Dovekie.  34.     Specimens  have  been  taken  in  winter  on  the  Delaware  river 
near  Philadelphia. 

Family  STERCORARiiDyE.     The  Jaegers. 

12.  Stercorarius  pomarinus  (Temm.). 

Pomarine  Jaeger.  36.     Accidental.     "One  specimen  was  taken  at  Harris- 
burg  in  summer." — TurnbulL 

13.  &  parasiticus  (Linn.). 

Parasitic  Jaeger.  37.     Accidental.     "  Mr.  John   Krider  shot  one  on   the 
meadows  to  the  south  of  Philadelphia." — TurnbulL 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  i'31 

Family  LARID^E.*     The  Gulls  and  Terns. 

14.  Rissa  tridactyla  (Linn.).    • 

Kittiwake.  40.  Accidental  winter  visitant  H.  B.  Graves  mounted  a 
specimen  taken  in  Lancaster  county. 

15.  Larus  argentatus  smit hsoniamis  Coues. 

American  Herring  Gull.  51ti.  This  bird  is  said  to  be  a  common  spring 
and  fall  migrant  on  Lake  Erie.  It  occurs  also  on  the  Delaware  river 
and  occasional!}'  is  observed  about  the  large  streams  in  the  interior. 

16.  L.  delawarensis  Ord. 

Ring-billed  Gull.  54.  This  species  is  frequently  met  with  during  the 
spring  and  fall  migrations  in  different  parts  of  the  State.  It  is  also 
found  on  the  Delaware  river  in  winter. 

17.  L.  atricilla  Linn. 

Laughing  Gull.  58.  Found  on  the  Delaware  river,  and  occasionally  in 
the  interior  during  the  spring  and  fall  migrations. 

18.  L.  Philadelphia  (Ord.). 

Bonaparte's  Gull.  60.  Migratory.  Said  to  be  quite  common  during  spring 
and  fall  migrations  on  Lake  Erie.  Not  uncommon  on  the  Delaware 
river  and  in  the  interior. 

19.  Oelochelidon  nilotica  (Hasselq.). 

Gull-billed  Tern.  63.  Very  rare.  H.  B.  Graves  killed  a  specimen  in 
Chester  county  in  the  autumn. 

20.  Sterna  tschegrava  Lepech. 

Caspian  Tern.  64.  A  specimen  mounted  by  Mr.  Joseph  Krider  is  said  to 
have  been  captured  in  Delaware  county. 

21.  S.  maxima.  Bodd. 

Royal  Tern.  65.  In  September,  1879,  H.  B.  Graves  shot  a  specimen  in 
Berks  county. 

22.  8.  forsteri  Nutt. 

Forster's  Tern  69.  Specimens  are  sometimes  taken  during  spring  and 
fall  migrations. 

23.  S.  hirundo  Linn. 

Common  Tern  70.  Specimens  are  often  taken  during  migrations,  especi- 
ally in  September. 

24.  8.  paradiscea  Brun  n. 

Arctic  Tern  71  Specimens  are  occasionally  taken  in  the  autumn  about 
the  rivers. 

*These  birds  occur  ia  Pennsylvania  chiefly  as  stragglers.  When  found  inland  they  usually  are 
observed  after  severe  wind  and  rain  storms.  None,  as  far  as  I  am  aware,  breed  in  the  State. 
The  Gulls  and  Terns  are  found  principally  about  the  coasts.  Certain  species,  however,  frequent 
large  inland  waters.  Although  there  are  exceptions,  it  may  be  stated  in  a  general  way  that 
Gulls  are  larger  than  Terns.  In  Gulls  the  bill  ishooked,  while  in  Terns  the  bill  isstraight.  Again, 
in  Gulls  the  tail  is  even ;  in  Terns  the  tail  is  forked.  The  Gulls  are  veritable  scavengers  of  the 
sea.  They  feed  eagerly  upon  any  and  all  kinds  of  animal  food  which  may  be  cast  into  the  waters 
before  them.  They  also  devour  pieces  of  bread,  crackers  and  fruit  which  are  cast  overboard. 
Nuttall  says :  "  Like  Vultures,  they  are  voracious,  feeding  on  every  kind  of  animal  food, 
whether  dead  or  living,  fresh  or  tainted.  The  larger  kinds  also  prey  upon  eggs  and  young 
birds ;  but  their  principal  supply  is  fish,  whose  crowding  shoals  they  follow  with  much  eagerness, 
seizing  their  prey  with  great  address  as  it  approaches  the  surface  of  the  water,  darting  swiftly 
in  quest,  and  at  the  same  time  submerging  the  head.  So  powerful  is  the  gastric  juice  in  thia 
family  of  birds  that  it  suffices  even  to  digest  the  scales  of  fish,  feathers  and  putrid  matter."  The 
Terns,  when  feeding,  will  frequently  hover  over  the  water,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Sparrow 
Hawk  does  when  hunting  in  a  grass  field,  and  dart  head  foremost  into  it,  oftentimes  with 
such  velocity  as  to  submerge  the  whole  body.  Unlike  the  Hawk,  however,  which  seizes  its  prey 
in  its  talons,  the  Tern  captures  its  prey  in  its  bill.  Dr.  Coues,  writing  of  the  Terns,  says :  "  The 
larger  kinds  feed  principally  on  little  fish  *  *  *  but  most  of  the  smaller  ones  arc  insectivor- 
ous and  flutter  over  marshy  spots  like  Swallows  or  Nighthawks."  Gulls  and  terns  are  web- 
footed.  They  swim  with  great  ease,  but  are,  it  is  stated,  unable  to  dive. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

25.  Sterna  dougalli  Montag. 

Roseate  Tern.  72.  Specimens  have  been  captured  on  the  Schuylkill  and" 
Delaware  rivers. 

26.  8.  antillarum  (Less.). 

Least  Tern.  74.  Specimens  have  been  taken  in  Chester,  Lancaster  and 
Montgomery  counties  in  August  and  September. 

27.  S.  fuliginosa  Gmel. 

Sooty  Tern  75.  Specimens  have  been  taken  in  the  spring  and  early  fall 
in  Chester  and  Delaware  counties. 

28.  Hydrochelidnn  nigra  surinamcnsis  (Gmel.). 

Black  Tern  77.  Specimens  have  been  taken  in  Chester,  Delaware,  York 
and  Erie  counties. 

Family  RYNCHOPID.E.     The  Skimmers. 

29.  Rynchops  nigra  Linn. 

Black  Skimmer  80.  Accidental.  Specimen  shot  near  Philadelphia,  after 
a  severe  gale  in  September,  1880. 

Family  PROCELLARIIDJE.     The  Shearwaters  and  Petrels. 

30.  Puffinus  major  Faber. 

Greater  Shearwater  89.     Accidental.     Chester  county.—  Michener. 
3L  Procellaria  pelagica  Linn. 

Stormy  Petrel;  "Mother  Carey's  Chicken."  104.  Accidental.  One  cap- 
tured in  Philadelphia, — Turnbull. 

32.  Oceanodroma  leucorhoa  (VieilL). 

Leach's  Petrel.  106.  Accidental.  Chester  county,  September,  1879. 
"  During  a  gale  in  August,  1842,  a  number  were  driven  inland."—  Tarn- 
bull. 

Family  PHALACROCORACID^E.     The  Cormorants 

33.  Plialacrocorax  car  bo  (Linn.). 

Cormorant.  119.  Very  rare,  or  accidental  winter  visitor.  About  twelve 
years  ago  Mr.  H.  B.  Graves  obtained  a  specimen  in  Berks  county. 

34.  P.  dilophus  (Sw.  &  Rich.). 

Double-crested  Cormorant  120.  "An  occasional  straggler  is  observed  in 
the  vicinity  of  Erie."—  G.  B.  Sennett. 

Family  PELECANID.E.    The  Pelicans. 

35.  Pelecanus  erythrorhynchos  Gmel. 

American  White  Pelican.  125.  Has  been  seen  at  rare  intervals  on  the 
Delaware.— TarnbulL  Many  years  ago  a  few  of  these  birds  were  seen 
near  Erie.—  G.  B.  Sennett. 

Family  ANATID.E.     The  Ducks,  Geese  and  Swans. 

36.  Merganser  americanus  (Cass.) 

American  Merganser.  129.     Migrant 

37.  M.  serrator  (Linn.). 

Red-breasted  Merganser.  130.     Migrant 

38.  Lophodytes  cucullatus  (Linn.). 

H  ooded  Merganser.  131.     Migrant     Probably  breeds  occasionally. 

39.  Anas  boschas  Linn. 

Mallard.  132.  Frequent  spring  and  fall  migrant  According  to  Audubom 
this  species  formerly  bred  along  the  meadows  of  the  Schuyikill. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  233 

40.  Anas  obscura  Gmel. 

Black  Duck.  133.     Spring  and  fall  migrant 

41.  A.  strepera  Linn. 

Gadwall.  135.    Spring  and  fall  migrant 

42.  A.  americana  Gmel. 

Baldpate.  137.    Spring  and  fall  migrant 

43.  A.  carolinensis  Gmelin. 

Green- winged  Teal.  139.     Rather  common  spring  and"  fail  migrant* 

44.  A.  discors  Linn. 

Blue-winged  Teal.  140.     Spring  and  fall  migrant. 

45.  Spatula  clypeata  (Linn.). 

Shoveller.  142.    Spring  and  fall  migrant  rather  rare. 

46.  Dafila  acuta  (Linn.). 

Pintail.  143.     Spring  and  fall  migrant 

47.  *Aix  sponsa  (Linn.). 

Wood  Duck.  144..    Rarely  seen  in  winter. 

48.  Ay  thy  a  americana  (Eyt). 

Redhead.  14G.     Winter  visitant 

49.  A.  vallisneria  (Wils.). 

Canvas-back.  147.     Winter  visitant 
60.    4.  mania  ncarclica  Stejn. 

American  Scaup  Duck.  148.     Autumn  and  winter  visitant. 
5L  A.  affinin  (Eyt). 

Lesser  Scaup  Duck.  149.    Frequent  winter  visitant 

62.  A.  collaris  (Donov.). 

Ring-necked  Duck.  150.    Spring  and  fall  migrant 

63.  Glaucionetla  clangula  americana  (Bonap.). 

American  Golden-eye.  151.     Winter  visitant 

64.  Charitonetta  albcola  (Linn.). 

Buflie-head.  153.    Common  winter  resident 

66.  Clangula  hyemalis  (Linn.). 

Old-squaw.  154.     Rare  winter  visitant 
6&  Somateria  dresseri  Sharpe. 

American  Eider.  1GO.  Very  rare  winter  visitant  If  there  is  no  mistake 
a  bird  of  this  species  was  taken  near  Chadd's  Ford,  Delaware  county,  in 
the  winter  of  18S6.— #.  M.  Ever  hart. 

67.  Oidemia  americana  Sw.  <fe  Rich. 

American  Scoter.  163.    Occasional  winter  visitant 

68.  O.  deglandi  Bonap. 

White-winged  Scoter.  165.  Very  rare  winter  visitant  about  our  rivers, 
probably  more  frequent  on  Lake  Erie. 

69.  O.  perspicillala  (Linn. ). 

Surf  Scoter.  166.     Rare  winter  visitant 
60.  Erismaturarubida  (Wils.). 

Ruddy  Duck.  167.     Common  winter  resident 
6L  Branta  canadensis  (Linn.). 

Canada  Goose.  172.     Common  spring  and  fall  migrant 
62.  Olor  columbianus  (Ord. ). 

Whistling  Swan.  180.     Casual  spring  and  winter  visitor. 


234  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Family  IBIDID^E.      The  Ibises. 

63.  Plegadis  autumnalis  (Hasselq.). 

Glossy  Ibis.  186.  Accidental.  No  recent  record  of  its  occurrence  in  Penn- 
sylvania. In  1866  Mr.  Krider  shot  a  specimen  just  below  Philadelphia. 
"At  long  intervals  it  has  been  seen  on  the  Delaware  river." — TurnbulL 

Family  CICONIID^E.     The  Wood  Ibises 

64.   Tantalus  loculator   Linn. 

Wood  Ibis.  188.  "A  very  rare  straggler.  One  specimen  was  taken  a  num- 
ber of  years  ago  by  the  late  Vincent  Barnard." — Pennock. 

Family  ARDEID.E.     The  Herons,  Bitterns,  etc. 

65.  Botaurus  lentiginosus  (Montag.) 

American  Bittern.  190.     Migrant,  spring  and  fall. 

66.  B.  exilis  (GmeL). 

Least  Bittern.  191.    Spring  and  fall  migrant    Probably  breeds  occasionally. 

67.  *Ardea  herodias  Linn. 

Great  Blue  Heron.  194. 

68.  A.  egretta  Gmel. 

American  Egret.  196.     Migrant,  spring  and  fall. 

69.  A.  candidissima  Gmel. 

Snowy  Heron.  197.     Migrant,  spring  and  fall. 

70.  A.  tricolor  ruficollis  (Gosse.). 

Louisiana  Heron.  199.  An  occasional  straggler  is  sometimes  taken  in  the 
late  summer  and  autumn. 

71.  A.  cosrulea  Linn. 

Little  Blue  Heron.  200.  Immature  birds  are  occasionally  taken  in  the 
south-eastern  portions  of  the  State  during  the  late  summer  and  early 
autumn. 

72.  *A.  virescens  Linn. 

Green  Heron.  201. 

73.  *Nycticorax  nycticorax  ncevius  (Bodd.). 

Black-crowned  Night  Heron.  202. 

74.  JV.  violaceus  (Linn.). 

Yellow-crowned  Night  Heron.  203.  "  A  rare  straggler  from  the  south.  It 
has  been  seen  on  the  borders  of  the  Schuylkill  near  Philadelphia. — Turn- 
bulL No  record  of  its  recent  occurrence  in  Pennsylvania. 

Family  GRUHLE.     The  Cranes. 

75.  Grus  canadensis  (Linn.). 

Little  Brown  Crane.  205.  "  Some  forty  years  ago  a  flock  of  four  or  five  of 
these  birds  was  found  along  the  White  Clay  Creek,  near  this  place,  one 
of  which  was  shot  and  presented  to  me."— Michener.  (1881.) 

Family  RALLID.E.     The  Rails,  Gallinules,  etc. 

76.  Rallus  elegans  Aud. 

King  Rail.  208.  Rare  spring  and  fall  migrant.  Specimens  have  been 
taken  in  Chester,  Delaware,  Berks  and  Lancaster  counties. 

77.  R.  longirostris  crepitans  (Gmel.). 

Clapper  Rail.  211.  A  bird  of  this  species  was  shot  near  Chester  city,  Dela- 
ware county,  September,  1SSO,  by  ex-Sheriff  George  R.  Hoopes,  of  West 
Chester,  and  presented  to  me.  Accidental,  usually  found  about  salt 
marshes  of  the  Atlantic  coast 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  235 

7&  *Rallus  virginianusljinn. 
Virginia  Rail.  212. 

79.  *  for  zana  Carolina  (Linn.). 

Sora.  214.     Most  abundant  during  the  fall  migrations. 

80.  P.  noveboracensis  (Gmel.). 

Yellow  Rail.  215.     Rare  visitor.     Probably  breeds  occasionally. 

81.  P.  jamaicensis  (Gmel.). 

Black  Rail.  216.  Rare  migrant.  Specimens  are  occasionally  shot  in  the 
fall  near  Chester  city,  Delaware  county. 

82.  lonornis  martinica  (Linn.). 

Purple  Gallinule.  218.     A  very  rare  straggler  from  the  south. 

83.  Gallinula  galeata  (  Lich  t ) . 

Florida  Gallinule.  219.     Spring  and  fall  migrant 

84.  Fulica  americana  Gmel. 

American  Coot.  22L     Spring  and  fall  migrant. 

Family  PHALAROPODID^E.     The  Phalaropes. 

85.  Crymophilus fulicarius  (Linn.). 

Red  Phalarope.  222.  Chiefly  maritime  ;  found  in  this  State  only  as  an  ir- 
regular and  rare  migrant 

86.  Phalaropus  lobatus  (Linn.). 

Northern  Phalarope.  223.     Rare  straggler  from  the  north. 

87.  P.  tricolor  (Vieill.). 

Wilson's  Phalarope.  224.     Rare  spring  and  fall  visitant 

Family  SCOLOPACID^E.     The  Snipes,  Sandpipers,  etc. 

88.  *Philohela  minor  (Gmel.). 

American  Woodcock.  228.     Sometimes  seen  during  mild  winters. 

89.  Gallinago  delicata  (Ord.). 

Wilson's  Snipe.  230.     Common  migrant ;  spring  and  fall. 

90.  Macrorhamphus  griseus  (Gmel.). 

Dowitcher.  231.  Rare  and  irregular  spring  and  fall  migrant  Chester 
county. — Michener.  •' Cumberland  county,  male,  September,  1844; 
female,  August,  1844."— Baird. 

91.  Aficropalama  himantopus  (Bonap. ). 

Stilt  Sandpiper.  233.     Rare  and  irregular  spring  and  fall  migrant 

92.  Tringa  canutus  Linn. 

Knot  234.  Common  spring  and  fall  migrant  along  the  Atlantic  coast 
Specimens  are  occasionally  found  along  our  rivers  during  the  fall 
migrations. 

93.  T.  maritima  Briinn. 

Purple  Sandpiper.  235.  Very  rare.  A  specimen  in  the  U.  S.  National 
Museum  was  taken  many  years  ago  near  Philadelphia. 

94.  T.  maculata  Vieill. 

Pectoral  Sandpiper.  239.     Spring  and  fall  migrant 

95.  T.  fuscicollis  Vieill. 

White-rumped  Sandpiper.  240.     Rare  spring  and  fall  migrant 

96.  T7.  minutilla  Vieill. 

Least  Sandpiper.  242.     Spring  and  fall  migrant 

97.  T.  alpina  paciftca  (Coues.). 

Red-backed  Sandpiper.  243a.  Most  frequently  seen  in  the  fall.  Said  to 
be  a  common  spring  and  fall  migrant  on  Lake  Erie,  near  Erie  city. 


236  BIRDS  OP  PENNSYLVANIA. 

98.  Ereunetes pusillus  (Linn.). 

Semipalmated  Sandpiper.  246.  Spring  and  fall  migrant.  Most  frequently 
met  with  in  August  and  September. 

99.  Calidris  arenaria  (Linn.). 

Sanderling.  248.     Spring  and  fall  migrant 

100.  Limosafedoa  (Linn.). 

Marble  God  wit  249.  "An  occasional  bird  of  this  species  is  seen  during  mi- 
grations."— H.  B.  Graves. 

101.  L.  hcemaslica  (Linn.). 

Hudsonian  Godwit  251.    Very  raf  o  spring  and  fall  migrant 

102.  Tetanus  melanoleucus  (Ginel.). 

Greater  Yellow-legs.  254.    Spring  and  fall  migrant 

103.  T.flavipes  (Gmel.). 

Yellow-legs.  255.     Spring  and  iall  migrant 

104.  *T.  solitarius  (Wils.). 

Solitary  Sandpiper.  256.  Common  spring  and  fall  migrant  Mr.  Geo.  B. 
Sennett  informs  me  that  he  is  quite  certain  that  this  species  breeds  in 
Crawford  county. 

105.  Symphemia  semipalmata  (Gmel.). 

Willet  258.  August,  1885,  two  of  these  birds  were  shot  in  Delaware 
county. 

106.  *Bartramialongicauda  (Bechst). 

Bartramian  Sandpiper.  261. 

107.  Tryngitcs  subruficollis  (Vieill.). 

Buff-breasted  Sandpiper.  262.  Very  rare,  migrant  in  the  autumn. 

108.  *A ctitis  macularia  (Linn.). 

Spotted  Sandpiper.  263. 

109.  Numcnius  longiroslris  Wils. 

Long-billed  Curlew.  264.  Recorded  by  Dr.  Michener  (1831)  as  a  rare  mi- 
grant in  Chester  county. 

110.  N.  hudsonicus  Lath. 

Hudsonian  Curlew.  265.     Specimens  of  this  and  the  succeeding  species 
have,  it  is  said,  been  taken  near  Philadelphia  during  the  spring  and  iall 
migrations. 
11L  N.  boreahs  (Forst). 

Eskimo  Curlew.  266. 

Family  CHARADRIID^E.     The  Plovers. 

112.  Charadrius  squatarola  (Linn.). 

Black-bellied  Plover.  270.     Irregular  spring  and  fall  migrant 

113.  C.  dominicus  Mull. 

American  Golden  Plover.  272.     Irregular  spring  and  fall  migrant 

114.  *JEfjialilis  vocifera  (Linn.). 

Killdeer.  273.  Sometimes  found  during  mild  winters  in  southern  parts  of 
the  State. 

115.  JE.  semipalmata  Bonap. 

Semipalmated  Plover.  274.  Spring  and  fall  migrant,  When  found  is 
generally  seen  in  the  late  summer  and  autumn. 

116.  JE.meloda  (Ord.). 

Piping  Plover.  277.  This  species  during  migrations  is  found  on  the  shores 
of  Lake  Erie. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  237 

Family  APHRIZID^E.     The  Turnstones. 

117.  Arenaria  interprcs  (Linn.)' 

Turnstone.  283.  Common  during  migrations  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Erie.— 
G.  B.  tSennett.  Stragglers  have  also  been  taken  in  Philadelphia  and 
Delaware  counties. 

Family  TETRAONID.E.     The  Grouse,  Partridges,  etc. 

113.  *Colinus  virginianus  (Linn.). 
Bob-white.  289.     Resident 

119.  *Bonasa  umbellus  (Linn.). 

Ruffed  Grouse.  300.     Resident 

120.  Tympanuchus  americanus  (Reich.). 

Prairie  Hen.  305.  Extinct.  "Now  very  rare.  A  few  are  still  met  with  in 
Monroe  and  Northampton  counties,  where  I  have  shot  the  species." 
Turnbull  (1869). 

Family  PHASIANID^.     The  Turkeys. 

12L  *Meleagris  gallopavo  Linn. 

Wild  Turkey.  310.     Resident 

Family  COLUMBID^:.     The  Pigeons. 

122.  *Ectopistes  migrator ius  (Linn.). 

Passenger  Pigeon.  315.  Breeds  sparingly  :  somo  seasons  quite  abundant 
in  the  fall :  a  few  individuals  are  sometimes  seen  during  mild  winters. 

123.  *Zenaidura  macroura  (Linn.). 

Mourning  Dove.  316.     Resident 

Family  CATHARTIDJE.     The  American  Vultures. 

124.  *Cathartcs  aura  (Linn.). 

Turkey  Vulture.  325.     Resident  in  southern  parts  of  State. 

125.  Catharista  atrata  (Bartr.). 

Black  Vulture.  326.     Rare  straggler  from  the  South. 

Family  FALCONIDJE.     The  Hawks,  Eagles,  etc. 

126.  Elanoides forflcatus  (Linn.). 

Swallow -tailed  Kite.  327.     A  rare  straggler  from  the  South. 

127.  Ictinia  mississippiensis  (Wils. ). 

Mississippi  Kite.  329.  A  rare  straggler  from  the  southern  United  States, 
Chester  county,  October  20,  1852.— .Barnard. 

128.  Circus hudsonius  (Linn.). 

Marsh  Hawk.  331.     Most  abundant  in  spring  and  fall.     Rare  in  summer. 

129.  *Accipiter  velox  (Wils.). 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk.  332.     Resident 

130.  *A.  cooperi  (Bonap.). 

Cooper's  Hawk.  333.     Resident 
13L  A.  atricapillus  (Wils.). 

American  Goshawk.  334.     Rare  winter  visitant 

132.  *Buteo  borealis.   (Ginel.). 

Red-tailed  Hawk.  337.     Resident 

133.  B.  harlani  (Aud.). 

Harlan's  Hawk.  338.  "Habitat.  Gulf  States  and  lower  Mississippi  Valley, 
north  casually,  to  Kansas,  Iowa,  Illinois  and  Pennsylvania,  east  to  Geor- 
gia.— Ridgway's  Manual  of  N.  A.  Birds,  1877. 


238  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

134.  *Buteo  lineatus  (Grael.). 

Red  shouldered  Hawk.  339.     Resident 

135.  *B.  latissimus  (Wils.). 

Broad-winged  Hawk.  343.     Resident 

136.  Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis  (Gmel.). 

American  Rough-legged  Hawk.  347 a.     Winter  resident 

137.  Aquila  chrysaetos  (Linn.). 

Golden  Eagle.  349.     Winter  resident,  rather  rare  and  irregular. 

138.  *Haliceetus  leucocephalus  (Linn.). 

Bald  Eagle.  352.     Resident. 

139.  Falco  peregrinus  anatuni  (Bonap.). 

Duck  Hawk.  356.     Winter  visitant 

140.  F.  columbctrius  Linn. 

Pigeon  Hawk.  357.     Winter  visitant 

141.  *F.  sparverius  Linn. 

American  Sparrow  Hawk.  360.     Resident 

142.  Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  (Gmel.). 

Fishhawk.  364.     Summer  visitant. 

Family  STEIGID^E.     The  Barn  Owls. 

143.  *Strix  pratincola  Bonap. 

American  Barn  Owl.  365.     Resident     Rather  rare. 

Family  BUBONID^E.     The  Horned  Owls,  etc. 

144.  *Asio  wilsonianus  (Less.). 

American  Long-eared  Owl.  366.     Resident.     Common  in  winter. 

145.  A.  accipitrinus  (Pall.). 

Short-eared  Owl.  367.     Common  winter  resident 

146.  *Syrnium  nebulosum  (Forst). 

Barred  Owl.  368.     Resident ;  usually  found  in  winter. 

147.  Ulula  cinerea  (Gmel.). 

Great  Gray  Owl.  370.     Rare  straggler  from  the  north.     Erie  county — Geo. 
B.  Sennett ;  Chester  county— H.  B.  Graves. 

148.  *Nyctala  acadica  (Gmel.). 

Saw-whet  Owl.  372.     Resident 

149.  *Megascops  asio  (Linn.). 

Screech  Owl.  373.     Resident. 

150.  '-Bubo  virginianus  (Gmel.). 

Great  Horned  Owl.  375.     Resident 

151.  Nyctea  nyctea  (Linn.). 

Snowy  Owl.  376.     Winter  visitant 

152.  Surnia  ulula  caparoch  (Mull.). 

American  Hawk  Owl.  377 a.     Very  rare  and  irregular  visitant  from  the 
northern  portions  of  North  America. 

Family  OUCULID^E.     The  Cuckoos,  etc. 

153.  Grotophaga  ani  Linn. 

Ani.  [383.]     Accidental.     Specimen  killed  near  Philadelphia,  Sept,  1849. 

154.  *Coccyzus  americanus  (Linn.). 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo.  387. 

155.  *O.  erythrophthalmus  (Wils.). 

Black-billed  Cuckoo.  388. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 
Family  ALCEDINID^E.     The  Kingfishers. 

15&  *Ceryle  alcyon  (Linn.). 

Belted  Kingfisher.  390.     Resident     Most  abundant  in  summer. 

Family  PICID^E.     The  Woodpeckers. 

157.  *Dryobates  villosus  (Linn.). 

Hairy  Woodpecker.  393.     Resident. 

158.  *D.  pubescens  (Linn.). 

Downy  Woodpecker.  394.     Resident 

159.  D.  borealis  (Vieill.). 

Red-cockaded  Woodpecker.  395.  "Accidental;  very  rare."— Michener 
(1863).  Rare  visitant  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania ;  specimen  shot  about 
1875  in  Delaware  county.— Gentry.  This  species  is  an  abundant  resident 
in  the  pine  forests  of  Florida  and  other  of  the  southern  U.  S. 

160.  Picoides  arcticus  (Swains.). 

Arctic  Three-toed  Woodpecker.  400.  Casually  southward  to  the  northern 
counties  and  mountainous  districts  of  Pennsylvania.  (Audubon). 
(Turnbull). 

161.  Sphyrapicusvarius  (Linn.). 

Sapsucker.  402  Spring  and  fall  migrant ;  a  few  individuals  are  also  some- 
times seen  in  winter. 

162.  *Ceophlceus pileatus  (Linn.). 

Pileated  Woodpecker.  405.     Resident  in  thinly  settled  districts. 

163.  *Melanerpcs  erythrocephalus  (Linn.). 

Red-headed  Woodpecker.  406.  Partially  resident,   especially  in  southern 

counties. 
154.   M.  carolinus  (Linn.). 

Red-bellied  Woodpecker.  409.  Rare  winter  visitant 

165.  *Colaptes  auratus  (Linn.). 

Flicker.  412.  Common  summer  resident  Individuals  of  this  species  may 
frequently  be  observed  in  winter. 

Family  CAPRIMULGID^E.     The  Goatsuckers. 

166.  *Antrostomus  vociferus  (Wils.). 

Whip-poor-will.  417. 

167.  *Chordeiles  virginianus  (Gmel.). 

Nighthawk.  420. 

Family  MICROPODID^E.     The  Swifts. 

168.  *Chcetura pelagica  (Linn.). 

Chimney  Swift  423. 

Family  TROCHILID^.     The  Hummingbirds. 

169.  *Trochilus  colubris  Linn. 

Ruby-throated  Hummingbird.  428. 

Family  TYRANNID^.     The  Tyrant  Flycatchers. 

170.  *Tyrannus  tyrannus.   (Linn.). 

Kingbird.  444. 

171.  %Myiarchus  crinitus  (Linn.). 

Crested  Flycatcher.  452. 

172.  *Sayornis  phoebe  (Lath.). 

Phoehe.  456. 


240  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA 

173.  Contopus  borcalis  (Swains.). 

Olive-sided  Flycatcher.  459.  Rare  spring  and  fall  migrant. 

174.  *C.  virens  (Linn.). 

Wood  Pewee.  461. 

175.  Empidonax  flavivenlris  Baird. 

Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher.  403.  Spring  and  fall  migrant 

176.  *E.  acadicus  (Gmel.). 

Acadian  Flycatcher.  465. 

177.  E.  pusillus  traillii  (Aud.). 

Traill's  Flycatcher.  466«.  Spring  and  fall  migrant 

178.  E.  minimus  Baird. 

Least  Flycatcher.  467.  Rare  spring  and  fall  migrant 

Family  ALAUDID^E.     The  Larks. 

179.  Otocoris  alpestris  (Linn.). 

Horned  Lark.  474.     Winter  resident  in  eastern  Pennsylvania. 

180.  *O.  alpestris  praticola  Hensh. 

Prairie  Horned  Lark.  4745.  Breeds  sparingly  in  Erie  county,  near  Erie 
city,  where  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett  and  the  writer  have  obtained  the  young 
in  stubble-fields  in  July,  1888. 

Family  OOKVIDJE.     The  Crows  and  Jays. 

181.  *Cyanocitta  cristala    (Linn.). 

Blue  Jay.  477.  Resident ;  most  numerous  in  spring,  summer  and  fall. 

182.  Perisorcus  canadensis  (Linn.). 

Canada  Jay.  484.  A  rare  straggler,  in  winter  to  the  northern  counties  of 
Pennsylvania.— Turnbull. 

182.  Corvus  corax  sinuatus  (Wagl.). 

American  Raven.  486.  Formerly  resident ;  now  very  rare  or  extinct 

183.  *C.  americanus  Aud. 

American  Crow.  488.  Resident 

184.  *C.  ossifrayus  Wils. 

Fish  Crow.  490.  Summer  resident  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia. — 
Gentry. 

Family  IcTERiDyE.     The  Blackbirds,  Orioles,  etc. 

185.  *Dolichonyx  oryzivorus  (Linn.). 

Bobolink.  494.  Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett  informs  me  that  this  bird  is  a  regular 
breeder  in  Crawford  and  Erie  counties,  in  the  north-western  part  of  this 
State.  In  eastern  Pennsylvania  I  have  observed  this  bird  only  as  a 
common  spring  and  fall  migrant 

186.  *Molothrus  ater  (Bodd.). 

Cowbird.     495.     A  few  sometimes  linger  during  mild  winters. 

187.  Xanthocephalus  xanthocephalus  (Bonap.). 

Yellow-headed  Blackbird.  497.  Accidental,  "Dr.  Jackson  mentions  that 
this  species  is  occasionally  seen  along  the  Alleghany  mountains,  where 
a  llock  appeared  in  the  autumn  of  1857.  Mr.  John  Krider  shot  a  young 
male  near  Philadelphia. — Turnbull. 

188.  *A.fjelaius pliceniccus  (Linn.). 

Red-winged  Blackbird.     498. 

189.  *Sturnella  magna  (Linn.). 

Meadowlark.    501.     Resident 

190.  *  Icterus  spurius  (Linn.). 

Orchard  Oriole.     506. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

191.  *Icterus  galbula  (Linn.). 

Baltimore  Oriole.     507. 

192.  Scolecophagus  carolinus  (Miill.). 

Rusty  Blackbird.     509.     Spring  and  fall  migrant. 

193.  *Quiscalus  quiscula  (Linn.). 

Purple  Grackle.  511.  Common  summer  resident  in  Eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  winter  small  flocks  are  frequently  seen,  especially  along  the 
southern  borders  of  the  State. 

194.  *Q.  cequiscula  ceneus  (Ridgway). 

Bronzed  Grackle.  5116.  Rare  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania.  This  form  is 
the  one  which  is  found  in  the  central  and  western  part  of 'the  State. 

Family  FRINGILLID^:.     The  Finches,  Sparrows,  etc. 

195.  Pinicola  enucleator  (Linn.). 

Pine  Grosbeak.  515.  Occasional  but  irregular  winter  visitant;  when 
found  is  generally  seen  in  small  flocks  about  pine  forests  on  apple 
orchards. 

196.  *Carpodacus purpureus  (Gmel.). 

Purple  Finch.  517.  Common  spring  and  fall  migrant  and  frequent 
winter  resident  in  south-eastern  Pennsylvania.  Breeds  in  Crawford 
and  Erie  counties,  and  also  probably  in  other  portions  of  the  State. 

197.  *Loxia  curvirostra minor  (Brehm.). 

American  Crossbill.  521.  Breeds  sparingly  in  the  mountainous  dis- 
tricts. Occurs  generally  throughout  the  State  as  an  irregular  winter 
visitant.  Said  to  be  a  common  and  regular  winter  resident  in  Warren 
county. 

198.  L.  leucoptera  Gmel. 

White-winged  Crossbill.     522.     Rare  and  irregular  winter  visitor. 

199.  Acanthis  linaria  (Linn.). 

Redpoll.  528.  Irregular  winter  visitant ;  when  found  is  generally  seen 
in  large  flocks. 

200.  A.  linaria  rostrata  (Coues). 

Greater  Redpoll.  5286.  Probably  occurs  as  an  occasional  winter  visitant 
in  the  northern  portions  of  the  State. 

201.  *8pinus  tristis  (Linn.). 

American  Goldfinch.     529.     Resident. 

202.  S.  pin  us  (Wils.). 

Pine  Finch.     533.     Winter  resident 

203.  *Passer  domesticus  (Linn.). 

English  Sparrow.     Resident. 

204.  Plectrophenax  nirnlis  (Li nil. ). 

Snowflake.     534.     Winter  visitant. 

205.  Calcarius  lapponicus  (Linn.). 

Lapland  Longspur.     536.     Irregular  winter  visitant. 

206.  *PooccKtes  gramineus  (Gmel.). 

Vesper  Sparrow.  540.  Common  summer  resident ;  winters  from  south- 
ern Pennsylvania,  southward  (Delaware,  Maryland,  etc.). 

207.  *Ammodramus  sandwichensis  savanna  (Wils.). 

Savanna  Sparrow.  542  «..  Common  during  migrations  in  eastern  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  Geo.  B.  Sennett  says  it  breeds  sparingly  in  Crawford 
county. 

208.  *,4.  savannarum  passerinus  (Wils.). 

Grasshopper  Sparrow.  540. 

16  BIRDS. 


242  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

209.  *Ammodramus  hensloivii  (Aud.). 

Henslow's  Sparrow.  547.  Very  rare  summer  resident  in  Chester  county — 
Michener. 

210.  Zonotnchia  leucophrys  (Forst.). 

White-crowned  Sparrow.  554.  Tolerably  common  spring  and  fall  migrant, 
most  numerous  in  the  autumn.  According  to  Prof.  Gentry  this  species 
winters  regularly  in  well-wooded  and  sheltered  localities  in  the  lim- 
its of  Philadelphia. 

211.  Z.  albicollis  (GmeL). 

White-throated  Sparrow.  558.  Common  spring  and  fall  migrant ;  frequent 
winter  resident. 

212.  Spizella  monticola  (Gmel.). 

Tree  Sparrow.  559.     Common  winter  resident. 

213.  *S.  pusilla  (Wils.). 

Field  Sparrow.  563.  Winters  from  southern  Pennsylvania,  southward 
through  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  etc. 

214.  *  Junco  hyemalis  (Linn.). 

Snowbird.  567.  Occurs  generally  throughout  the  State  as  a  common  win- 
ter resident.  Seen  commonly  from  October  1  to  the  middle  of  April. 
Breeds  in  Crawford  and  McKean  counties. — Scnnett. 

215.  *Melospizafasciata  (Gmel.). 

Song  Sparrow.  581.     Resident. 

216.  M.  lincolni  (Aud.). 

Lincoln's  Sparrow.  583.     Rare  spring  and  fall  migrant. 

217.  *M.  georgiana  (Lath.). 

Swamp  Sparrow.  584.  Common  spring  and  fall  migrant ;  occasional  win- 
ter resident.  Gentry  says  a  few  remain  in  eastern  Pennsylvania  to 
breed.  Mr.  Pennock  mentions  that  a  nest  and  eggs  were  taken  near 
Kennett  Square,  Chester  county,  in  1885. 

218.  Passerella  iliaca  (Merr.). 

Fox  Sparrow.  585.  Common  spring  and  fall  migrant;  frequent  winter 
resident  in  southern  parts  of  the  State. 

219.  *Pipilo  erythrophthalmus  (Linn.). 

Towhee.  587.  During  mild  winters  a  few  individuals  may  occasionally  be 
observed  about  bushy  and  well-sheltered  localities  in  southern  Penn- 
sylvania and  the  northern  portions  of  Delaware  and  Maryland. 

220.  *Cardinalis  cardinalis  (Linn.). 

Winter  Redbird.  593.     Resident  in  southern  Pennsylvania. 

221.  *Habia  ludoviciana  (Linn.). 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak.  595. 

222.  Guiraca ccerulea  (Linn.). 

Blue  Grosbeak.  597.  Very  rare  spring  and  summer  visitant  to  the  south- 
ern counties  of  Pennsylvania.  The  Messrs.  Baird,  writing  in  1844,  say  : 
"  A  few  seen  each  year  in  the  vicinity  of  Carlisle,  Cumberland  county, 
where  it  breeds." 

223.  *  Passer  inacyanea  (Linn.). 

Indigo  Bunting.  598. 

224.  *8piza  americana  (Gmel.). 

Dickcissel.  604. 

225.  S.  townsendii  (Aud.). 

Townsend's  Bunting,  f  18.  From  Dr.  Ezra  Michener's  Birds  of  Chester 
County  published  in  1881,  I  take  the  following  remarks  relative  to  this 
species.  "  This  unique  bird  was  obtained  by  my  excellent  friend,  whose 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  243 

name  it  bears,  in  a  cedar  grove  near  my  dwelling,  while  assisting  me 
in  collecting  birds  in  the  spring  of  1833.  We  at  once  pronounced  it 
new.  Audubon  did  the  same,  and  named  and  published  it  in  both  of  his 
large  works.  "This  curious  bird  has  long  been  a  puzzle  to  ornithologists 
in  the  uncertainty  whether  it  is  only  a  variety  of  8.  americana  (Black- 
throated  Bunting)  or  a  distinct  species.  Thus  far  (now  more  than  forty 
years)  but  one  specimen  is  known,  kindly  presented  to  the  Smithsonian 
Institution  by  Dr.  Michener.  I  do  not  feel  able  to  decide  the  question 
of  its  true  relationship  to  the  S.  americana.  While  this  uncertainty  re- 
mains it  seems  proper  that  Chester  county  should  preserve  a  record  of 
its  history  as  a  guide  to  future  observers." 

8p.  Ch. — "Male.  Upper  parts,  head  and  neck  all  round,  sides  of  body 
and  fore  part  of  breast,  slate  blue  ;  the  back  and  upper  surface  of  wings 
tinged  with  yellowish  brown ;  the  inter  scapular  region  streaked  with 
black.  A  superciliary  and  maxillary  line,  chin  and  throat,  and  central 
line  of  under  parts  from  the  breast  to  crissum,  white  ;  the  edge  of 
the  wing,  and  a  gloss  on  the  breast  and  middle  of  belly,  yellow.  A 
black  spotted  line  from  the  lower  corner  of  the  lower  mandible  down 
the  side  of  the  throat,  connecting  with  a  crescent  of  streaks  in  the  up- 
per edge  of  the  slate  portion  of  the  breast.  Length,  5^  inches  ;  alar  ex- 
tent, 9 ;  wing,  2.86  ;  tail,  2.56  inches."—  S.  F.  Baird. 

Family  TANAGRID^;.     The  Tanagers. 

226.  *Piranga  erythromelas  Vieill. 

Scarlet  Tanager.    608. 

227.  P.  r ubra  (Linn.). 

Summer  Tanager.  610.  Is  a  trifle  larger  than  the  Scarlet  Tanager.  The 
adult  male  is  a  "rose-red  "  or  vermillion  color  :  wings  and  tail  feathers 
are  same  color  as  body  (unexposed  portions  of  wing  feathers,  also  ends 
of  primaries  and  secondaries,  dusky),  adult  female  is  greenish  or  brown- 
ish olive  above,  lower  parts  lighter.  This  bird  like  the  Scarlet  Tanager 
is  subject  to  great  variations  in  plumage.  Rare  visitor;  saw  male  and 
female,  May  25,  1876,  in  West  Chester.  Found  chiefly  south  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, early  in  April  these  birds  arrive  in  Florida  from  their  wintering 
resorts  in  the  tropics. 

Family  HIRUNDINIM.     The  Swallows. 

228.  *Progne  subis  (Linn.). 

Purple  Martin.  611. 

229.  *Petrochelidon  lunifrons  (Say.). 

Cliff  Swallow.  612. 

230.  *Chelidon  ery throe/aster  (Bodd.). 

Barn  Swallow.  613. 

231.  *Tachycinetabicolor  (Vieill.). 

Tree  Swallow.  614.    Most  numerous  in  spring  and  falL 

232.  *Clivicola  riparia  (Linn.). 

Bank  Swallow.  616. 

233.  *Stelyidopteryx  serripennis  (Aud.). 

Rough -winged  Swallow.  617. 

t  A.  O.  U.  Check  List,  page  349.  Hypothetical  List  "  consisting  of  species  which  have  been  re- 
corded as  North  American,  but  whose  status  as  North  American  birds  is  doubtful,  either  from  lack 
of  positive  evidence  of  their  occurrence  within  the  prescribed  limits  (Continent  of  North  America, 
north  of  the  present  United  States  and  Mexican  boundary,  and  Greenland ;  peninsula  of  Lower 
California,  with  the  islands  belonging-  thereto)  of  the  present  check-list,  or  from  absence  of  sat- 
isfactory proof  of  their  validity  as  species."—^..  0.  U.  Check  List,  1886. 


244  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Family  AMPELIM.     The  Waxwings. 

234.  Ampelis  garrulus  Linn. 

Bohemian  Waxwing.  618.  Rare  winter  straggler  from  the  north,  Chester 
county  (I860;. — H.  B.  Graves.  Has  been  shot  occasionally  near  Philadel- 
phia.— Turnbull  (1869). 

235.  *A.  cedrorum  (Vieill.). 

Cedar  Waxwing.  619.     Resident. 

Family  LANIID^E.     The  Shrikes. 

236.  Lanius  borealis  Vieill. 

Northern  Shrike.  621.  Winter  resident,  from  October  to  April,  not  rare. 
According  to  Dr.  Turnbull  this  species  breeds  on  the  mountain  ridges  of 
the  Alleghanies. 

237.  *L.  ludovicianus  (Linn.). 

Loggerhead  Shrike.  |622. 

238.  *L.  ludovicianus  excubitorides  (Swains.) 

White-rumped  Shrike.  622a. 

Family  YIREONID^E.      The  Vireos. 

239.  *Vireo  olivaceus  (Linn.). 

Red-eyed  Vireo.  624. 

240.  V. philadelphicus  (Cass.). 

Philadelphia  Vireo.  626.     Rare  spring  and  fall  migrant. 

241.  *V.flavifrons  Vieill. 

Yellow-throated  Vireo.  628.  Rather  common  during  spring  and  fall  mi- 
grations. 

242.  *V.  solitarius  (Wils.). 

Blue-headed  Vireo.  629.  According  to  Prof.  Gentry  this  species  breeds  in 
the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia.  I  have  observed  it  only  as  a  spring  and  fall 
migrant;  most  plentiful  in  the  spring 

243.  *V.  noveboracensis  (Gmel.). 

White-eyed  Vireo.  631. 

Famliy  MNIOTILTID^E.     The  Wood- War  biers. 

244.  *Mniotilta  varia  (Linn.). 

Black  and  White  Warbler.  636. 

245.  Protonotaria  citrea  (Bodd.) 

Prothonotary  Warbler.  637.  Individuals  of  this  species  occasionally  strag- 
gle northward  to  southern  Pennsylvania  where  they  have  been  taken  in 
the  spring  and  summer. 

246.  *Helmitherus  vermivorus  (Gmel.). 

Worm-eating  Warbler.  639.  Common  summer  resident  in  Chester,  Lan- 
caster, Delaware  and  Berks  counties. 

247.  *  Helminthophila  pinus  (Linn.). 

Blue-winged  Warbler.  641. 

t  Thirteen  Shrikes  or  Butcher-birds,  as  they  are  commonly  called,  were  taken,  August  5  and  6, 
1888,  by  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett  and  myself  in  Erie  county.  The  specimens  were  adults  and  young 
of  the  year,  Owing  to  the  bad  plumage  of  these  birds  I  am  unable  to  say  whether  they  are  L. 
ludovicianus  or  the  sub-species  excubitorides,  hence  have  deemed  it  best  to  include  both  in  this 
list  as  summer  residents.  These  birds  are  said  to  be  equally  as  plentiful  in  Crawford  county  as 
they  are  in  Erie  during  the  summer  season.  L,  ludovicianus  exculritorides,  should,  1  think,  be 
eliminated  from  the  A.  O.  U.  Check  List. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  245 

48.  Hclminthophila  chrysoptera  (Linn. 

Golden-winged  Warbler.  642.  Rare  spring  and  fall  migrant.  Prof.  S.  F. 
Baird  obtained  an  adult  male  July  8,  1845,  at  Carlisle,  Cumberland 
county. 

249.  H.  ruficapilla  (Wils.). 

Nashville  Warbler.  645.     Rather  common  spring  and  fall  migrant. 

250.  //.  eclat  a  (Say.). 

Orange-crowned  Warbler.  646.  Rare  visitant.  November  2,  1867,  Mr.  C. 
D.  Wood,  of  Philadelphia,  shot  an  adult  male  in  Bucks  county. 

251.  H.  peregrina  (Wils.). 

Tennessee  Warbler.  647.  In  eastern  Pennsylvania  this  species  occurs  in 
spring  only  as  a  very  rare  sojourner  (arriving  in  Chester  county  May  20 
to  25.— Barnard.  In  the  autumn  (September)  the  Tennessee  Warbler 
is  a  common  visitant  about  apple  orchards  and  forests,  frequenting  in 
the  latter,  beech  trees  (Fagusferruginea).  The  Messrs.  Baird  writing 
of  this  bird  in  Cumberland  county,  say :  "  1840,  not  seen ;  1841,  one 
seen  ;  1842,  very  abundant  in  autumn  ;  1843,  not  seen,  migratory." 

252.  *Comp$ot-hlypis  americana  (Linn.). 

Parula  Warbler.  648.  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett  informs  me  that  this  warbler 
breeds  in  Crawford  county.  Mr.  George  W.  Roberts,  Allerton  farm, 
West  Chester,  Pa.,  shot,  in  the  summer  of  1886,  several  of  these  birds 
(worn  plumage)  in  Centre  county,  and  reported  the  species  to  be  quite 
plentiful  in  that  locality.  I  have  seen  individuals  of  this  species  in 
Chester  and  Berks  counties,  as  late  as  June  27  ;  have  also  observed  a  few 
in  Schuylkill  and  Dauphin  counties  the  first  week  in  July. 

253.  Dendroica  tigrina  (Gniel). 

Cape  May  Warbler  650.  Migrant  May  and  September.  Rather  rare  in 
spring  ;  tolerably  abundant  in  the  autumn. 

254.  *D.  a'stiva  (Ginel.). 

Yellow  Warbler  652. 

255.  *J).  ccerulescens    (Gmel.). 

Black-throated  Blue  Warbler.  654.  Common  migrant,  May  and  Septem- 
ber ;  breeds  in  the  mountainous  districts. 

256.  D.  coronata  (Linn.). 

Myrtle  Warbler.  655.  Common 'migrant ;  arrives  some  times  as  early  as 
the  first  week  in  April,  usually,  however,  appears  about  April  20,  and 
returns  in  October.  A  few  individuals  are  occasionally  seen  during  mild 
winters. 

257.  D.  maculosa  (Gmel.). 

Magnolia  Warbler.  657.     Common  migrant ;  May  and  September. 

258.  D.  c&rulea  (Wils.). 

Cerulean  Warbler  658.     Exceedingly  rare  migrant ;  May  and  September. 

259.  #D.  pennsylvanica  (Linn.). 

Chestnut-sided  Warbler  659.  Common  migrant  May  and  September: 
"  Breeds  in  Crawford  and  Erie  counties." — Geo.  J5.  Sennett.  Have  seen 
a  few  of  these  birds  in  summer  in  Chester,  Lancaster  and  Delaware 
counties  and  am  inclined  to  think  that  future  investigations  will  show 
that  the  species  occurs  in  said  districts  as  an  occasional  breeder. 

260.  D.  castanea  (Wils.). 

Bay-breasted  Warbler  660.     Migrant;  May  and  September. 

261.  D.  striata  (Forst). 

Black-poll  Warbler.     661.     Common  migrant     May  and  September. 
262.*  D.  blackburnice     (Gmel.). 

Blackburn iaii  Warbler  662.  Migrant,  May  and  September  ;  some  seasons 
quite  common.  Especially  in  the  autumn.  Given  by  the  Messrs.  Baird 
as  a  native  in  Cumberland  county  ;  breeds  also  Mr.  Sennett  tells  me,  in 
Crawford  and  Erie  counties. 


246  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

263.  Dendroica  dominica  (Linn.). 

Yellow-throated  Warbler  663.  Rare  spring  and  summer  visitant  in  the 
southern  counties  of  the  State.  In  the  winter  of  1885,  I  found  this 
species  in  small  flocks  feeding  in  pine,  palmetto  and  oak  trees,  along 
the  St.  Johns  river,  from  Palatka,  southward. 

264  *D.  virens  (GmeL). 

Black-throated  Green  Warbler.     667.     Common  migrant,  May  and  Sep- 

*  tember.     Given  by  the  Messrs.  Baird  as  breeding  in  Cumberland  county. 

July,  1881,  I  saw  two  of  these  birds  in  Schuylkill  county,  have  also  on 

two  or  three  occasions  seen  individuals  of  this  species  in  Chester  county 

in  the  summer. 

265.  D.  townsendi  (Nutt.). 

Townsend's  Warbler.  668.  Accidental.  An  adult  male  of  this  decidedly 
western  species,*  was  shot  by  Mr.  C.  D.  Wood,  of  Philadelphia,  May 
12,  1868,  in  an  apple  orchard,  near  Coatesville,  Chester  county.  The 
specimen  was  sold  ($40)  to  Dr.  Turnbull,  and  after  his  death  was  pur- 
chased by  Barney  Hoopes,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  who  subsequently  dis- 
posed of  it  to  the  late  John  Krider,  of  Philadelphia. 

266.  *Z>.  vigor sii  (Aud.). 

Pine  Warbler.  671.  Migrant;  spring  and  fall.  Given  by  the  Messrs. 
Baird  as  breeding  in  Cumberland  county.  "  During  certain  mild  and 
open  winters,  wre  are  informed  by  reliable  authority,  that  it  is  common 
in  pine  forests  in  the  vicinity  of  Brighton,  Ne\v  Jersey.  An  instance 
is  recorded  where  a  stray  individual  was  met  in  Philadelphia  in  mid- 
winter."— Gentry.  In  February,  March  and  April,  1885,  I  found  this 
species,  to  be  quite  common  in  the  Florida  pine  forests,  along  the  St. 
John's  river. 

267.  D.  palmarum  (GmeL), 

Palm  Warbler.  672.  "In  spring,  brownish-olive,  rump  and  upper  tail- 
coverts  brighter  yellowish-olive,  back  obsoletely  streaked  with  dusky, 
crown  chestnut;  superciliary  line  (i.  e.  streak  over  eye)  and  entire 
under  parts  rich  yellow,  breast  and  sides  with  reddish-brown  streaks, 
somewhat  as  in  the  Summjer  Warbler ;  a  dusky  loral  line  running 
through  eye ;  no  white  wing-bars,  the  wing  coverts  and  inner  quills 
being  edged  with  yellowish-brown  ;  tail  spots  at  very  end  of  inner  webs 
of  two  outer  pairs  of  tail-feathers  only,  and  cut  squarely  off— a  pecu- 
liarity distinguishing  the  species  in  any  plumage.  Female  not  particu- 
larly different  from  the  male.  Young:  An  obscure-looking  object^ 
brownish  above  like  a  young  Yellow-rump,  but  upper  tail-coverts  yel- 
lowish-olive, and  under  tail-coverts  apt  to  show  quite  bright  yellow  in 
contrast  with  the  dingy  yellowish-white  or  brownish-white  of  other 
under  parts  ;  pectoral  (breast)  arid,  lateral  streaks  obscure  ;  crown  gener- 
ally showing  chestnut  traces  ;  but  in  any  plumage,  known  by  absence  of 
white  wing-bars  and  peculiarity  of  the  tail  spots.  Length,  5§  ;  extent, 
about  8 ;  wing,  2g ;  tail,  2|  inches.  Habitat. — Eastern  North  America, 
abundant ;  north  to  Labrador,  Hudson's  Bay,  Fort  Resolution,  etc., 
breeds  only  beyond  the  United  States,  excepting  Maine." — Coues.  I  am 
inclined  to  think  that  the  white  spots  at  the  ends  of  the  two  outer  tail 
feathers  cannot,  in  all  cases,  be  regarded  as  a  diagnostic  mark,  as  I 
have  seen  specimens  of  this  species  with  the  third  feather  narrowly 
tipped  with  white. 

*  "  Habitat.  Western  North  America,  chiefly  near  Pacific  coast,  north  to  Sitka,  Alaska ;  east, 
during  migrations  to  Rocky  Mountains;  in  winter  from  southern  California  to  Guatemala."— 
Ridgway^s  Manual  K.  A.  Birds. 


BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  247 

26a  Dendroica  palmarum  hypochrysea  Ridgw. 

Yellow  Palm  Warbler.*  672«.  "Said  to  differ  in  being  more  brightly  and 
continuously  yellow  on  the  under  parts,  with  the  streaks  confined 
mostly  to  the  sides,  broadly  tear-shaped,  instead  of  linear,  reddish, 
instead  of  dusky  ;  lower  eyelid  yellow,  not  whitish  ;  back  bright  olive. 
Habitat — 'Atlantic  States,  from  East  Florida  to  Nova  Scotia.'  Accord- 
ing to  this,  hypochrysea  should  be  the  common  bird  of  the  Atlantic 
States  and  what  is  above  described  as  true  palmarum  should  be  the  bird 
of  the  interior.  But  I  have  little  faith  in  the  validity  of  the  physical 
characters  assigned,  and  none  in  the  geographical  distinctions  sought  to 
be  established." — Coues. 

The  "Palm  Warbler,"  a  common  spring  and  fall  migrant  in  Eastern  and 
Central  -Pennsylvania,  may  be  seen  on  the  ground,  in  fields,  along  the 
fences  and  by  the  roadsides.  It  is  seldom  observed  to  light  in  trees  and 
bushes  to  feed  as  is  the  common  habit  of  others  of  its  genus. 

269.  D.  discolor  (Vieill.). 

Prairie  Warbler.  673.     Migrant,  spring  and  fall.     Probably  breeds  here. 

270.  *Seiurus  aurocapillus  (Linn.). 

Oven  bird.  674. 

271.  *8.  noveboracensis  (Gmel.). 

Water  Thrush.  675.  Common  spring  and  fall  migrant;  rare  summer 
resident 

272.  &  montacilla  (Vieill.). 

Louisiana  Water  Thrush.  676.  Rare  spring  and  fall  migrant.  Specimens 
have  been  taken  in  summer  in  Chester  county,  where  it  probably  some- 
times breeds. 

273.  *Geothlypisformosa  (Wils.). 

Kentucky  Warbler.  677. 

274.  O.  agilis  (Wils.). 

Connecticut  Warbler.  678.  I  have  never  seen  this  bird  in  the  spring ;  in 
autumn,  however,  it  is  rather  common. 

274.  G.  Philadelphia  (Wils.). 

Mourning  Warbler.  679.  Rare  spring  and  fall  migrant ;  said  to  breed  in 
the  mountainous  portions  of  Pennsylvania. 

275.  *G.  trichas  (Linn.). 

Maryland  Yellow-throat.  681. 

276.  *Icteria  virens  (Linn.). 

Yellow-breasted  Chat.  683. 

277.  *8ylvania  mitrata  (Gmel.). 

Hooded  Warbler.  684.  Very  rare  spring  and  summer  visitant  A  nest 
and  young  of  this  species  were  a  few  years  ago  found  in  Chester  county. 

278.  &pusilla  (Wils.). 

Wilson's  Warbler.  685.     Migrant  spring  and  fall. 

279.  *&  canadensis  (Linn.). 

Canadian  Warbler.  686.  Breeds  in  the  mountainous  districts;  occurs 
generally  throughout  the  State  as  a  common  spring  and  fall  migrant 

280.  *Setophaga  ruticilla  (Linn.). 

American  Redstart  687. 

Family  MOTACILLLD^I.     The  Wagtails. 

281.  Anthus pensilvanicus  (Lath.). 

American  Pipit.  697.  Common  spring  and  fall  migrant  about  ploughed 
grounds. 

*In  consequence  of  the  fact  that  T  have  in  my  possession  no  specimens  of  Pennsylvania  birds,  I 
am  unable  to  say  whether  p'lhnarum  or  hypochrysea  is  the  bird  which  is  found  here,  hence 
I  have  included  both  in  this  list. 


248  BIRDS  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Family  TROGLODYTID.E.     The  Wrens,  Thrashers,  etc. 

282.  *Mimus polyglottos  (Linn.). 

Mockingbird.  703.  Very  rare  and  only  in  the  southern  portions  of  the 
State. 

283.  *Galeoscoptes  carolinensis  (Linn.). 

Catbird.  704. 

284.  *Harporhynchus  rufus  (Linn.). 

Brown  Thrasher.  705. 

285.  *Thryothorus  ludovicianus  (Lath.). 

Carolina  Wren.  718.  Frequent  summer  resident ;  rather  rare  winter 
resident. 

286.  *Thryothorus  bewickii  (Aud.). 

Bewick's  Wren.  719.    Rare. 

287.  * Troglodytes  aedon  Vieill. 

House  Wren.  721. 

288.  *T.  hiemalis  Vieill. 

Winter  Wren.  722.  I  have  observed  this  bird  in  eastern  Pennsylvania 
only  as  a  winter  resident,  from  October  to  April,  when  it  is  quite  com- 
mon. Mr.  George  B.  Sennett  informs  me  that  it  breeds  occasionally  in 
Crawford  county. 

289.  *Cistothorus  stellaris  (Licht.). 

Short-billed  Marsh  Wren.  724. 

290.  *C.palustris  (Wils.). 

Long-billed  Marsh  Wren.  725. 

Family  CERTHIIM.     The  Creepers. 

291.  Certhia  familiaris  americana  (Bonap.). 

Brown  Creeper.  726.  Rather  common  winter  resident,  but  most  numer- 
ous during  spring  and  fall  migrations. 

Family  PARID^E.     The  Nuthatches  and  Tits. 

292.  *Sitta  carolinensis  Lath. 

White-breasted  Nuthatch.  727.     Resident. 

293.  *8.  canadensis  Linn. 

Red-breasted  Nuthatch.  728.  I  have  observed  this  bird  in  eastern  Penn- 
sylvania only  as  a  winter  resident ;  rather  rare.  My  friend,  Mr.  George 
B.  Sennett,  however,  tells  me  that  it  sometimes  breeds  in  Crawford 
county. 

294.  /&  pusilla  Lath. 

Brown-headed  Nuthatch.  729.    Given  by  Dr.  Turnbull  as  a  rare  summer 
visitant  to  the  lower  counties.    A  taxidermist,  some  few  years  ago, 
showed  me  a  specimen  which  he  stated  had  been  shot  near  Philadelphia 
in  the  autumn. 
296.  *Parus  btcolor  Linn. 

Tufted  Titmouse.  731.     Resident. 

296.  *P.  carolinensis  Aud. 

Carolina  Chickadee.  736.  Rare.  Nests  and  eggs  have  been  taken  in  Ches- 
ter county. 

Family  SYLVIIM.     The  Kinglets  and  Gnatcatchers. 

297.  Regulus  satrapa  Licht. 

Golden-crowned  Kinglet.  748.     Common  spring,  fall  and  winter  resident. 

298.  R.  calendula  (Linn.). 

Ruby-crowned  Kinglet.  749.     Common  migrant,  spring  and  fall. 


BIRDS-  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  249 

299.  Polioptila  ccerulea  (Linn.). 

Blue-gray  Gnatcateher.    75L      Rare  visitor  from    the  south   in   spring, 
summer  and  fall.    Probably  breeds. 


Family  TuBDiDJii.     The  Thrushes,  Bluebirds,  etc. 

300.  *Turdus  mustelinus  Gmel. 

Wood  Thrush.  755. 

301.  T.  fuscescens  Steph. 

Wilson's  Thrush.  756.     Common  migrant  spring  and  fall. 

302.  T.  alicicB  Baird. 

Gray-cheeked  Thrush.  757.*    Migrant,  spring  and  fall. 

303.  T.  ustulatus  swainsonii  (Cab.). 

Olive-backed  Thrush.  758a.     Migrant,  spring  and  fall. 

304.  T.  aonalaschkce  pallasii  (Cab.X 

Hermit  Thrush.  7596.     Common  spring  and  fall  migrant  ;  specimens  have 
also  been  taken  during  mild  winters. 

305.  *Merulamigratoria  (Linn.). 

Robin.  76L     Resident 

306.  *Sialia  sialis  (Linn.). 

Bluebird.  766.    Resident 

NOTE.—  On  different  occasions  during  the  past  twenty  years  the  following  named 
species  have  been  introduced  to  Pennsylvania  with  a  view  to  their  naturalization. 
The  attempted  naturalization  of  these  birds,  other  than  the  English  Sparrow,  has 
been  unsuccessful. 

1.  Tympanuchus  americanus  (Rich.'*. 

Prairie  Hen.  305. 

2.  Alauda  arvensis  Linn. 

Skylark  [473]. 

3.  Coturnix  coturnix  (Linn.). 

European  or  Migratory  Quail. 

4.  Passer  domesticus  (Linn.). 

English  or  European  House  Sparrow. 


ADDENDA. 

Since  this  list  has  been  printed  I  find  that  three  species  all  common  summer  resi- 
dents have  been  omitted.  The  families  to  which  these  birds  belong  and  their  names 
are  as  follows : 

Family  FRINGILLID^;. 

307.  *Spizella  socialis  (WiLS.). 

Chipping  Sparrow.  560. 

Family  VIREONID.E. 

308.  *Vireo  gilvus  (ViEiLi,.). 

Warbling  Vireo.  627. 

Family  PARID^I. 

300.  *Parus  atricapillus  LINN. 

Chickadee.  735.     Common  resident. 

*Turdus  alicice  tricknelli  Ridgw.  (Bicknell's  Thrush),  probably  occurs  in  the  mountainous  re- 
gions of  this  State,  as  a  summer  resident. 


INDEX. 


NOTE.— A  few  ERRORS  OCCURRING  in  the  Scientific  names  in  the  text  have  been  corrected  in 
the  index. 


Acanthis,  185,  341. 
linaria,  185,  341. 
Imaria  rostrata,  241. 
Accipiter,  60,  75,  77,  80,  237. 
atricapillus,  80.237. 
cooperi,  60,  77,  237. 
velox,  60,  75,  237. 
Accipitrinae,  74. 
Actitis,  41,  236. 

macularia,  41,  236, 
JSgialitis,  45,  236. 
meloda,  236, 
semipalmata,  236. 
vocif  era,  45,  236. 
Addenda,  249. 
Agelaius,  168,  240. 

phomiceus,  168,  240. 
Aix,  9,  233, 

sponsa,  9,  233. 
Alauda,  249. 

arvensis,  249. 
Alaudidae,  156,  240. 
Alcedinidre,  121,  239. 
Alcidae,  230. 
Alcyones,  121. 
Alle,  230. 

alle,  230. 

Ammodramus,  188,  241,  242. 
henslowii,  189,  242. 
sandwichensis  savanna,  188,  241, 
savannarum  passerinus,  189,  241. 
Ampelidae,  208,  244. 
Ampelinae,  208. 
Ampelis,  180,  208,  244. 

cedrorum,  180,  208,  244, 
garrulus,  244. 
Anas,  232,  233. 

amencana,  233. 
boschas,  232. 
carolinensis,  233. 
discors,  233. 
obscura,  233. 
strepera,  233. 
Anatidae,  4,  232. 
Anatinee,  9. 
Anhinga,  20. 

anhinga,  20. 
Ani,  238. 

Animals,  county  paid  for,  from  January  1. 
to  July  1,  1886,  .  .  70,  71,  72. 


Anseres,  4. 
Anserinae,  16. 
Anthus,  247. 

pensilvanicus,  217. 
Antrostomus,  138,  239. 

carolinensis,  140. 

vociferus,  138-140,  239. 
Aphelocoma,  floridana,  158. 
Aphrizidae,  237. 
Appendix,  229-249. 
Aquila,  93,  338. 

chrysaetos,  93,  238. 
Archibuteo,  60,  62,  92,  238. 

lagopus  sancti-johannis,  60,  92,  238. 
Ardea,  19,  22,  23,  234. 

candidissima,  22, 234. 

ccerulea,  234. 

egretta,  22,  234. 

herodias,  19,  234. 

tricolor  ruficollis,  234. 

virescens,  23,  234. 
Ardeidae,  17,  234. 
Ardeinae,  19. 
Arenaria,  237. 

interpres,  237. 
Arvicola,  63. 

pinetorum,  63. 

riparius,  63. 
Asio,  60, 106, 108,  238. 

accipitrinus,  60, 108,  238. 

wilsonianus,  60, 106,  238. 
Aythya,  11,  12,  233. 

affinis,  233.     . 

americana,  11,  233. 

collaris,  233. 

marila  nearctica,  233. 

vallisneria,  12,  233. 


B. 

Baldpate,  233. 
Bartramia,  40,  236. 

longicauda,  40,  43,  236. 
Beebird,  146. 
Bird,  Cedar,  180,  208. 

Cherry,  180,  208. 

Reed,  163, 164. 
Bittern,  American,  17,  234. 
1886  Green,  23. 

Least,  18,  19,  234. 

(251) 


252 


INDEX. 


Blackbird,  Common  Crow,  178. 

Crow,  167. 

Crow,  55,  170,  179,  181, 182. 

Red-shouldered,  171. 

Red- winged,  168-171,  240. 

Rusty,  177,  241. 

Swamp,  168, 169, 170. 

Yellow-headed,  240. 
Bluebird,  46, 195,  201,  226-228,  249. 
Bluebirds,  226. 

Bobolink,  163,  164, 165, 166,  240. 
Bob- white,  47,  237. 
Bog-trotter,  74. 
Bonasa,  49, 112, 158,  237. 

umbellus,  49, 112, 158,  237. 
Bounty  Act,  64. 
Bounty,  paid  by  each  county,  from  November 

1, 1885,  to  November  1, 1886,  .   .  65, 66. 
Botaurinae,  17. 
Botaurus,  17, 18,  234. 

exilis,  18,  234. 

lentiginosus,  17,  234. 
Branta,  16,  233. 

canadensis,  16,  233. 
Bubo,  60, 116,  238. 

virginianus,  60, 116,  238, 
Bubonidse,  106,  238. 
Bu  file-head,  15,  233. 
Bunting,  Bay-winged,  188. 

Black-throated,  243. 

Cow,  121, 167. 

Indigo,  200,  242. 

Snow,  187. 

Towhee,  168, 

Townsend's,  242. 
Butcher-bird,  210. 
Butcher-birds,  244. 
Buteo,  60,  83,  87,  89,  91,  237. 

borealis,  60,  83,  91,  237. 

harlani,  237. 

latissimus,  60,  89,  238. 

lineatus,  60,  87,  91,  238. 
Butter-ball,  15. 
Butter-birds,  164. 
Buzzard,  Turkey,  72,  73. 


C. 


Calcarius,  241. 

lapponicus,  241. 
Calidris,  236, 

arenaria,  236. 
Canvas-back,  223. 
Caprimulgi,  138. 
Caprimulgidae,  138,  239. 
Cardinal,  197, 198. 
Cardinalis,  197,  242. 

cardinalis,  197,  242. 
Carpodacus,  183,  241. 

purpureus,  183,  241. 
Catbird,  161,  217,  248. 
Catharista,  237. 

atrata,  237. 
Cathartes,  72,  237. 

aura,  72,  237, 
Cathartidfe,  72,  237. 


Ceophloaus,  132,  239. 

pileatus,  132,  239. 
Cepphi,  3. 
Cepphus,  230. 

grylle,  230. 

mandtii,  230. 
Certhiidas,  248. 
Certhia,  248. 

familiar  is  americana,  248. 
Ceryle,  121,  239. 

alcyon,  121,  239. 
Chaetura,  142,  239. 

pelagica,  142,  239. 
Chaeturinae,  142. 
Charadriidae,  43,  236. 
Charadrius,  43,  44,  236. 

dominicus,  44,  45,  236. 

squatarola,  43,  236. 
Charitonetta,  15, 233. 

albeola,  15,  233. 
Chat,  Yellow-breasted,  54,  167,  168,  211,  31*,  316. 

247. 
Chelidon,  206,  243. 

erythrogaster,  206,  243. 
Chewink,  197. 
Chickadee,  222, 249. 

Carolina,  248. 
Chick-will,  140. 

Chippy  (Spizella  socialist  1»4, 195. 
Chordeiles,  140,  239. 

virginianus,  140,  239. 
Chuck-will's  Widow,  140. 
Ciconiidag,  234. 
Circus,  60,  74,  237. 

hudsonius,  60,  74,  237. 
Cistothorus,  248, 

palustris,  248. 

stellaris,  248. 
Clamatores,  145. 
Clangula,  233. 

hyemalis,  233. 
Clivicola,  207,  243. 

riparia,  207,  243. 
Coccyges,  119. 
Coccyginae,  119. 
Coccyzus,  119, 120,  238. 

americanus,  119, 120,  238. 

erythrophthalmus,  120,  238. 
Colaptes,  137,  239. 

auratus,  137,  239. 
Colinus,  47,  237. 

virginianus,  47,  237. 
Columbse,  51. 
Columbidae,  51,  237. 
Colymbus,  1,  230. 

auritus,  1,  230. 

holboallii,  230. 
Compsothlypis,  245. 

americana,  245. 
Contopus,  152,  240. 

borealis,  240. 

virens,  152, 155, 240. 

County  Commissioners,  replies -of,  66-7J. 
Coot,  31. 

American,  31,  235. 
Coots,  31. 


INDEX. 


253 


Corncracker,  Red,  198. 
Cormorant,  232. 

Double-crested,  232. 
Cormorants,  23. 
Corvidae,  157,  240. 
Corvinae,  160. 
Corvus,  160,  162,  240. 

americanus,  160, 162,  240. 

corax  sinuatus,  240. 

ossifragus,  162,  240. 
Coturnix,  249. 

coturnix,  249. 
Cowbird,  167, 168,  211,  240. 
Crane,  19. 

Green-legged,  19. 

Little  Brown,  234. 

Large  White,  22. 
Creeper,  Brown,  212,  248. 
Crossbill,  American,  184,  241. 

Mexican,  184. 

White-winged,  184, 185,  241. 
Crotophaga,  238. 

and,  238. 
Crow,  160, 161, 162. 

American,  160,  ]62,  240. 

Common,  162. 

Fish,  162,  240. 
Crymophilus,  235. 

f  ulicarius,  235. 
Cuckoo,  Black-billed,  119, 120, 121, ; 

Yellow-billed,  119, 120, 121,  238. 
Cuculi,  119. 
Cuculidj-e,  119,  238. 
Curlew,  Eskimo,  236. 

Hudsonian,  236. 

Long-billed,  236. 
Cyauocitta,  157,  240. 

cristata,  157,  240. 

cristata  florincola,  156. 
Cypseli,  142. 

D. 

Dafila,  233. 

acuta,  233. 
Dendroica,  212,  213. 

lestiva,  213, 245. 

blackburnire,  245. 

caerulea,  245. 

ca?rulescens,  245. 

castanea,  245. 

coronata,  245. 

discolor,  247. 

dominica,  246. 

maculosa,  245. 

palmarum,  24(3,  247. 

palmarum  hypochrysea,  247. 

pennsylvanica,  245. 

striata,  245. 

tigrina,  245. 

townsendi,  229,  216. 

vigorsii,  246. 

virens,  246. 
Dickcissel,  242. 
Diver,  Great  Northern,  3. 
Divers,  3,  39. 


Dolichonyx,  163, 165,  240. 

oryzivorus,  163,  165,  240. 
Dove,  52,  161. 

Mourning,  54,  237. 

Turtle,  54. 
Doves,  55, 
Dovekie,  230. 
Dowitcher,  235. 
Dryobates,  124, 126,  239. 

borealis,  239. 

pubescens,  126, 130,  239. 

villosus,  124,  126,  130, 239. 
Duck,  4,  5. 

Acorn,  9. 

American  Scaup,  233, 

Black,  233. 

Canvas-back,  11-15. 

Fish,  4. 

Lesser  Scaup,  233. 

Bed-head,  11, 12, 15. 

Ring-necked,  233. 

Ruddy,  233. 

Summer,  9. 

Wood,  8,  9,  233. 


E. 

Eagle,  Bald,  93,  95,  238. 

Black,  96, 

Golden,  93,  94,  238. 

Gray,  96, 

Washington,  96. 

White-headed,  93. 
Ectopistes,  51,  237. 

migratorius,  51,  237. 
Egret,  American,  22,  234. 
Eider,  American,  233. 
Elanoides,  237. 

f  orficatus,  237. 
Emberiza  hortulana,  164. 
Empidonax,  153, 154,  240. 

acadicus,  154,  240. 

flaviventris,  153,  240. 

minimus,  155,  240. 

pusillus  traillii,  155,  240. 
Ereunetes,  236. 

pusillus,  236. 
Erismatura,  233. 

rubida,  233. 


F. 

Falco,  60,  97,  98,  99, 101,  238. 

columbarius,  99, 102,  238. 

peregrinus  anatum,  97,  98,  238. 

sparverius,  60,  101.  238. 
Falcones,  74. 
Falconidre,  74, 101,  237. 
Falconinae,  97. 
Finch,  Crimson,  183, 186. 

Grass,  188. 

Pine,  187,  241. 

Purple,  183,  241. 
Flicker,  124, 137,  239. 


254 


INDEX. 


Flycatcher. 

Acadian,  154, 168,  240. 

Crested,  149, 150,  239. 

Least,  155,  240. 

Olive-sided,  240. 

Traill's,  155,  240. 

Yellow-bellied,  153, 154,  240. 
Flycatcher,  Tyrant.  213. 
Foxes,  56,  64,  67-72. 
Fratercula,  230. 

arctica,  230. 

Fringillidae,  183,  188,  211,  241,  249. 
Fuhca,  31,  235. 

americana,  31,  2:*">. 
Fulicinae,  31. 


G. 


Gadwall,  233. 
Galeoscoptes,  217,  248. 

carolinensis,  217,  248. 
Gallimie,  47. 
Gallinago,  34,  235. 

delicata,  34,  235. 
Gallinula,  30,  235. 

galeata,  30,  235. 
Gallinule,  Florida,  30,  235. 

Purple,  235. 
Gallinulinre,  30. 
Garrulinae,  157. 
Gelochelidon,  231. 

nilotica,  231. 
Geothlypis,  212,  214,  247. 

agilis,  247. 

f  ormosa,  247. 

Philadelphia,  247. 

trichas,  214,  247. 
Glaucionetta,  233. 

claugula  americana,  233. 
Gnatcatcher,  Blue-gray,  249. 
Goatsuckers,  138. 
God  wit,  Hudsonian,  236. 

Marble,  236. 

Golden-eye,  American,  233. 
Goldfinch,  American,  186,  241. 
Goose,  Canada,  16,  233. 

Wild,  10,  16,  233. 

Goshawk,  American,  58,  80,  81,  82,  83,  237. 
Grackle,  Bronzed,  241. 

Purple,  134, 178,  241. 

Rusty,  177. 
Grackles,  Purple,  224. 
Grebe,  Holbrell's,  230. 

Horned  1,  2,  230. 

Pied-billed,  2,  230. 
Grebes,  3,  4,  39. 
Grosbeak,  Blue,  242. 

Cardinal,  168. 

Pine,  241. 

Rose-breasted,  199,  242. 
Grouse,  49,  50. 

Ruffed,  49,  237. 
Gruidte,  234. 
Grus,  234. 

canadensis,  234. 


Guillemot,  Black,  230. 

Mandt's,  230. 
Guiraca,  242. 

cnerulea,  242. 
Gull,  231. 

American  Herring,  231. 

Bonaparte's,  231. 

Laughing,  231. 

Ring-billed,  231. 
Gulls,  231. 


H. 


Habia  199,  242. 

ludoviciana,  199,  242. 
Halireetus.  95,  238. 

leucocephalus,  95,  238. 
Harporhynchus,  218,  248. 

ruf  us,  218,  248. 
Harrier,  74. 
Hawk,  231» 

American  Rough-legged,  58,  60,  92,  238. 

American  Sparrow,  59,  60,  61,  78,  89,  101,  102, 
147,  238. 

Black,  92. 

Broad- winged,  60,  89,  238. 

Cooper's,  58,  59,  60,  61,  77,  78,  90,  237. 

Duck,  81,  97,  98,  238. 

Fish,  96, 103, 104,  179,  238. 

Great-footed,  97,  99. 

Harlan's,  237, 

Marsh,  58,  60,  74,  75,  237. 

Pigeon  99, 100,  238. 

Red-shouldered,  59,  60,  63,  87,  238. 

Red-tailed,  59,  60,  63,  83,  84.  86,  237. 

Sharp-shinned,  58,  59,  60,  61,  75,  76,  237. 

Sparrow,  147,  231. 
Hawks,  56-72. 
Helminthophila,  212,  244,  245. 

celata,  245. 

chrysoptera,  245. 

peregiua,  245. 

pinus,  244. 

ruficapilla,  245. 
Helmitherus,  244. 

vermivorus,  244. 
Hell-divers,  3. 
Hen,  Prairie,  237,  249. 
Herodii,  17. 
Hcrodiones,  17. 
Heron,  Black-crowned  Night,  24,234. 

Great  Blue,  19,  20,  21,  23,  234. 

Green,  23,  24,  25,  55,  234. 

Little  Blue,  23,  234. 

Lousiana,  23,  234. 

Night,  25,  26. 

Snowy,  22,  23,  234. 

Yellow-crowned  Night,  234. 
Herons,  23,  25,  26. 
Hesperomys  leucopus,  63. 
Hirundinidse,  203, 211,  243. 
Hummingbird,  Ruby-throated,  143, 144, 239. 
Hydrochelidon,  232. 

nigra  surinamensis,  232. 


INDEX. 


Ibididge,  234. 
Ibis,  Glossy,  334. 

Wood,  234. 
Icteria,  215,  247. 

virens,  215,  247. 
Icteridse,  163,  240. 
Icterus,  172,  240. 

galbula,  241. 

spurius,  172,  240. 
Ictinia,  237. 

mississippiensis,  237. 
Indian  hen,  119. 
Indigobird,  168, 173. 
lonornis,  235. 

martinica,  235. 

J. 

Jaeger,  Parasitic,  230. 

Pomarine,  230. 
Jay,  Blue,  157, 158,  202, 240. 

Canada,  240. 

Florida  Blue,  158. 

Scrub,  158. 
Junco,  193,  242. 

hyemalis,  193,  242. 
Juree,  107. 

K. 

Killdeer,  45,  46,  236. 
Kingbird,  145,  146,  147.  148, 239. 
Kingfisher,  Belted,  121, 122, 147,  239. 
Kinglet,  Golden-crowned,  222,  248, 

Ruby-crowned,  222,  248. 
Kinglets,  223. 
Kite,  Mississippi,  237. 

Swallow-tailed,  237. 
Kittiwake,  231. 
Knot,  235. 
Kow-bird,  119. 


Laniidie,  209,  244. 
Lanius,  209,  244. 

borealis,  209,  244. 

ludovicianus,  244. 

ludovicianus  excubitorides,  244. 
Laridae,  231. 
Lark,  172, 

Horned,  153, 157,  240. 

Meadow,  30, 171. 

Prairie  Horned,  140. 
Larus,  231. 

argentatus,  smithsonianus,  231. 

atricilla,  231. 

delawarensis,  231. 

Philadelphia,  231. 
Letters,  from 

Bicknell,  E.  P.,  63. 

Coues,  Dr.  Elliott,  61. 

Fisher,  Dr.  A.  K.,  63. 

Henshaw,  H.  W.,  CO,  61. 

Merriam,  Dr.  C.  Hart,  58. 

Ridgway,  Robert,  59. 

Stejneger,  Dr.  Leonhard,  59. 

Turner,  Lucien  M.,  62,  63. 


Limicolae,  32. , 
Limosa,  236. 

fedoa,  236. 

haemastica,  236. 
Longspur  Lapland,  241. 
Loon,  3,  4,  230. 

Black-throated,  230. 

Red-throated,  230. 
Loons,  3,  4. 
Lophodytes,  7,  232. 

cucullatus,  7,  232. 
Loxia,  184,  241. 

curvirostra  minor,  184,  241. 

curvirostra  Strickland!,  184. 

leucoptera,  184,  241. 

M. 

Macrochires,  138. 
Macrorhamphus,  235. 

griseus,  235. 
Mallard,  232. 
Martin,  Field,  146. 

Purple,  204,  205,  243. 
Meadowlark,  240. 
Meadow  Mink,  163. 
Megascops,  60, 114,  238. 

asio,  60, 114,  238. 
Melanerpes,  133,  239. 

carolinus,  135,  239. 

erythrocephalus,  133,  239. 
Meleagrinae,  51. 
Meleagris,  51,  237. 

gallopavo,  51,  237. 
Melospiza,  74,  195, 242. 

f  asciata,  195,  242. 

georgiana,  242. 
-     lincolni,  242. 
Merganser,  5,  6. 

American,  4,  232. 

Hooded,  7,  8,  232. 

Red-breasted,  6,  232. 
Merganser,  4,  6,  232. 

americanus,  4,  232. 

serrator,  6,  232. 
Mergansers,  4,  7. 
Merginoe,  4. 
Merula,  223,  249. 

migratoria,  223,  249. 
Micropalama,  235. 

himantopus,  235. 
Micropodidae,  142,  239. 
Miminae,  217. 
Mimus,  248. 

polyglottos,  248. 
Minks,  56,  64,  67-72. 
Mniotilta,  244. 

varia,  244. 

Mniotiltidfe,  211,  244. 
Mockingbird,  159,  248. 
Molothrus,  167,  240. 

ater,  167,  240. 
Motacillidse,  247. 
Mudhen,  31. 
Murre,  Brunnich's,  230. 
Mus  musculus,  t>3. 


256 


INDEX. 


Myiarchus,  149,  339. 
crinitus,  149, 239. 


N. 


Nighthawk,  112, 138,  140, 141,  239. 
Nighthawks,  231. 
Numemus,  236. 

borealis,  236. 

hudsonicus,  236. 

longirostris,  236. 
Nuthatch,  212,  221. 

Brown-headed,  248. 

White-bellied,  220. 

White-breasted,  220,  221,  248. 

Red-breasted,  248. 
Nuthatches,  221. 
Nyctala,  112,  238, 

acadica,  112, 238. 
Nyctea,  118,  238. 

nyctea,  118,  238. 
Nycticorax,  24,  234. 

nycticorax  naevius,  24,  234. 

violaceus,  234. 

O. 

Oceanodroma,  232. 

leucorhoa,  232. 
Oidemia,  233. 

americana,  233. 

deglandi,  233. 

perspicillata,  233. 
Old-squaw,  233. 
Olor,  233. 

columbianus,  233. 
Orange- borer,  136. 
Oriole,  Baltimore,  168, 175, 176,  241. 

Orchard,  172, 173, 174, 176,  240. 
Ortolan,  164. 
Oscines,  146, 156. 
Osprey,  American,  103. 
Otocoris,  156,  240. 

alpestris,  156,  240. 

alpestris  practicola,  240. 
Ovenbird,  168,  211,  212,  213,  214,  247. 
Owl,  Acadian,  112. 

American  Barn,  104, 105,  238. 

American  Hawk,  238. 

American  Long-eared,  60, 106, 107, 110,  238. 

Barred,  60, 109, 110,  111,  238. 

Cedar,  106. 

Florida  Barred,  111. 

Gray,  114. 

Great  Gray,  238. 

Great  Horned,  59,  60,  104,  105,  110,  116,  117, 
118,  238. 

Hoot,  110, 116. 

Long-eared,  110, 114. 

Marsh,  108. 

Mottled,  114, 115. 

Red,  114. 

Saw-whet,  112, 113,  238. 

Screech,  60, 110, 114, 115,  238. 

Short-eared,  60, 104, 108,  109, 110,  238. 

Stone,  113. 

Swamp,  110. 

Snowy,  118,  238. 
Owls,  56-72. 


P. 

Paludicolae,  27. 
Pandion,  103,  238. 

haliaetus  carolinensis,  103,  238. 
Pandioninse,  103. 
Pandsc,  220,  248,  249. 
Parinae,  221. 

Partridge  (Bob-white),  47,  237. 
Partridges,  47,  48. 
Parus,  221,  248,  249. 

atricapillus,  222,  249. 

bicolor,  221,  248. 

carolinensis,  248. 
Passer,  76,  194,  241,  249. 

domesticus,  76, 194,  241,  249. 
Passerella,  196,  242. 

iliaca,  196,  242. 
Passerina,  200,  242. 

cyanea,  200,  242. 
Passeres,  145. 
Pelecanidae,  232. 
Pelecanus,  232. 

erythrorhynchos,  232. 
Pelican,  American  White,  232. 
Perdicinae,  47. 
Perisoreus,  240. 

canadensis,  240. 
Petrel,  Leach's,  232. 

Stormy,  232. 
Petrochelidon,  205,  243. 

lunif  rons,  205,  243. 
Pewee,  130, 145, 151. 

Wood,  152, 155,  240. 
Phalacrocoracidae,  232. 
Phalacrocorax,  232. 

carbo,  232. 

dilophus,  232. 
Phalaropodidae,  235. 
Phalaropus,  235. 

lobatus,  235. 

tricolor,  235. 
Phalarope,  Northern,  235. 

Red,  235. 

Wilson's  235. 
Phasiani,  47. 
Phasianidse,  51,  237. 
Pheasant,  31,  49,  50, 112. 
Pheasants,  48,  50. 
Philohela,  32,  235. 

minor,  32,  235. 
Phoebe,  151,  239. 
Pici,  123. 
Picidce,  123,  239. 
Picoides,  239. 

arcticus,  239. 
Pigeon,  52,  55. 

Passenger,  51,  237. 

Wild,  51,  52,  55. 
Pigeons,  52,  53,  54. 
Pinicola,  241. 

enucleator,  241. 
Pintail,  233. 
Pipilo,  196,  242. 

erythrophthalmus,  1%,  243. 
Pipit,  American,  213,  247. 


INDEX. 


257 


Piranga,  201,  243, 

erythromelas,  201,  243» 

rubra,  243. 
Plectrophenax,  187, 241. 

nivalis,  187,  241. 
Plegadis,  234. 

autumnalis,  234. 
Plover,  4:1. 

American  Golden,  44, 236. 

Black-bellied,  43, 45, 236. 

Bull-head,  45. 

Field,  40,  43. 

Golden,  45. 

Grass,  40. 

Piping,  236. 

Semipalmated,  236. 
Plovers,  40,  44,  45. 
Podicipedes,  1. 
Podicipidae,  1,  230. 
Podilymbus,  2, 230. 

podiceps,  2, 230. 
Polioptila,  249. 

crerulea,  249. 
Poocretes,  188,  24L 

gramineus,  188, 24L 
Porzana,  28,  30, 164,  235. 

Carolina,  28, 164, 235. 

jamaicensis,  235. 

noveboracensis,  30, 235. 
Procellaria,  232. 

pelagica,  232. 
Procellariidae,  232. 
Progne,  204,  243. 

subis,  204,  243. 
Protonotaria,  244, 

citrea,  244. 
Puffin,  230. 
Puffinus,  232. 

major,  232, 
Pygopodes,  1. 

Q. 

Quail  (Bob-White)  47, 237. 

European,  249. 

Migratory,  249. 
Quiscalus,  178,  241. 

quiscula,  178,  241. 

quiscula,  aeneus,  241. 

R. 

Rail,  Black,  235. 

Blue,  CO. 

Carolina,  28, 164. 

Clapper,  27, 32, 234. 

King,  27,  234. 

Virginia,  27,  28. 

Yellow,  30, 235. 
Ralli,  27. 
Rallido?,  27,  234. 
Rallinae,  27. 
Rallus,  27,  234,  235. 

elegans,  27, 234. 

longirostris  crepitans,  321, 234, 

virginianus,  27,  235. 
Rails,  27,  28,  33. 
Rain-crow,  119. 

17  BIRDS. 


Raptores,  72. 
Raven,  American,  240. 
Redbird,  Winter,  198,  242. 
Red-head,  233. 
Redpoll,  185, 186,  241. 

Greater,  241. 
Redstart,  213,  216, 217. 

American,  211, 212, 216, 247. 
Regulinre,  222. 
Regulus,  222, 248. 

calendula,  222, 248. 

satrapa,  222, 248. 
Reports  of  West  Chester  MicroscopicaVs°ciety' 

extracts  from,  56,  63. 
Report  of  Thomas  J.   Edge,   Esq.,  Sec.  State 

Board,  extracts  from,  64,  71. 
Ricebird,  165, 166. 
Rissa,  231. 

tridactyla,  231. 
Robin,  112, 161, 180,  195,  224,  225  249, 

American,  223, 

Ground,  197. 

Wood,  223, 

Common,  223. 
Rynchopidae,  232. 
Rynchops,  232. 

nigra,  232. 


Salad-bird,  186. 
Sanderling,  236. 
Sandpiper,  41. 

Bartramian,  40, 236. 

Buff-breasted,  236, 

Least,  36,  235. 

Pectoral,  235. 

Purple,  235. 

Red-backed,  235. 

Semipalmated,  236. 

Solitary,  38,  39,  236, 

Spotted,  41, 214,  236. 

Stilt,  235. 

White-rumped,  235. 
Sandpipers,  36, 38. 
Sapsucker,  125, 136  221, 239. 

Orange,  136. 

Yellow-bellied,  129. 
Sarcorhamphi,  72. 
Sayornis  151,239. 

phcebe,  151, 152,  239. 
Scalp  Act,  55,  56,  64, 112,  14L 
Scolecophagus,  177,  241. 

carolinus,  177,  241. 
Scolopacidae,  32,  235. 
Scoter,  American,  233. 

Surf,  233. 

White-winged,  233. 
Seiurus,  212,  214,  247. 

aurocapillus,  214, 247. 

motacilla,  247. 

noveboracensis,  247. 
Setophaga,  21G,  247. 

ruticilla,  216,  247. 
Shearwater,  Greater,  232. 
Sheldrake,  4,  5. 
Shewink,  197. 


258 


INDEX. 


Shoveller,  233. 

Shrews,  63, 115. 

Shrike,  Loggerhead,  244, 

.Northern,  209,  210,  244. 

White  rumped,  244. 
Shrikes,  244. 
Sialia,  226, 228,  249. 

sialis,  226,  228,  249. 
Siskin,  Pine,  187. 
Sitta,  220,  248. 

canadensis,  248. 

carolinensis,  220,248. 

pusilla,  248. 
Sitting,  220. 
Skimmer,  Black,  232. 
Skunk-blackbird,  164. 
Skunks,  68,  72, 
Skylark,  249. 
Snipe,  33, 34,  35,  36. 

English,  34. 

Gray,  33,  34. 

Wilson's,  3?,  34, 235. 
Snowbird,  193,  242. 

Slate-colored,  193. 
Snowflake,  187,241. 
Somateria,  233. 

dresseri,  233. 
Sora,  28,  235. 
Sorex,  63. 
Sparrow,  Chipping,  192,  249. 

English,  76, 168, 133, 194, 195, 205,  241,  34«. 

European  House,  194, 249, 

Field,  192,  193,  242. 

Fox,  196,  242. 

Grasshopper,  189, 190, 241. 

Henslow's,  242. 

Lincoln's,  242. 

Savanna,  188, 189,  241. 

Song,  195, 190,  242. 

Swamp,  242. 

Tree,  191, 192, 229,  242. 

Vesper,  188, 192, 241. 

White- crowned,  242. 

White-throated,  190,243. 

Yellow- winged,  189,  190. 
Spatula,  233. 

clypeata,  233. 
Sphyrapicus,  124, 129, 130, 239. 

varius,  129, 131,  239. 
Spinus,  186, 187,  241. 

pinus,  187,  241. 

tristis,  186,  241. 
Spiza,  242. 

americana,  242,  243. 

townsendi,  242. 
Spizella,  191, 242,  249. 

monticola.  191,  229, 242, 

pusilla,  192,  242. 

socialis,  192, 249, 
Stelgidopteryx,  207,  243. 

serripennis,  207,  243. 
Stercorariidas,  230. 
Stercorarius,  230. 

parasiticus,  230. 

pomarinus,  230. 


Sterna,  231, 233. 

antillarum,  232.        ' 

dougalli,  232. 

forstcri,  231. 

f  uliginosa,  232. 

hirundo,  231. 

maxima,  231. 

paradisasa,  231. 

tschegrava,  23L 
Striges,  104. 
Strigidse,  104,  238. 
Strix,  104,  238. 

pratincola,  104, 238. 
Sturnella,  171,  240. 

magna,  171,  240. 
Surnia,  238. 

ulula  caparoch,  238. 
Swallow,  Bank,  204, 207, 243. 

Barn,  C04,  206,  243. 

Cliff,  204,  205,  243. 

Rough- winged,  204,  207,  243, 

Tree,  204,  206,  243. 

White-bellied,  203. 
Swallows,  203,  204,  207, 23L 
Swan,  Whistling,  233. 
Swift, 

Chimney,  142, 239. 

(Chimney-bird,)  142, 239. 
Sylvania,  212,  247. 

canadensis,  247. 

mitrata,  247. 

pusilla,  247. 
Sylviidae,  222,  248. 
Symphemia,  230. 

semipalmuta,  236. 
Syrnium,  60, 109,  238. 

nebulosum,  60, 109, 238. 

nebulosum  alleni,  111. 

T. 


Tachycineta,  206, 243. 

bicolcr,  206,  243. 
Tanager,  Scarlet,  168,  201, 

Summer,  24G. 
Tacagridfe,  201.  211,  243. 
Tantalus,  234. 

loculator,  234. 
Teal,  Blue-winged,  233. 

Green- wingred,  233. 
Tern,  231. 

Arctic,  231. 

Black,  232. 

Caspian,  231, 

Common,  231. 

Forster's,  231. 

Gull-billed,  23L 

Least,  232. 

Roseate,  232. 

Royal,  231. 

Sooty,  232. 
Terns,  231. 
Tetraonidae,  47, 237. 
Tetraoninas,  49. 
Thrasher,  Brown,  218, 248. 


INDEX. 


259 


Thrush,  159. 

Bicknell's,  249. 

Brown,  173,218. 

G  ray-cheeked.  249. 

Hermit,  249. 

Olive-backed,  249. 

Wilson's,  249. 

Wood,  161,  168,  223,  249. 
Water,  212,  247. 

Water,  Louisiana,  212, 28. 
Thrushes,  Water,  212. 
Thryothorus,  248. 

bewickii,  248. 

ludovicianus,  248. 
Tilt^up,  41,  42. 
Titmice,  213. 
Titmouse,  161. 
Titmouse,  Tufted,  221,  248. 
Totanus,  37,  38,  236. 

flavipes,  37,  236. 

melanoleucus,  37.  236. 

solitarius,38,236. 
Towhee,  196, 197,  242. 
Tringa,  36,  235. 

alpina  pacifica,  235. 

canutus,  235. 

fuscicollis,  235. 

maculata,  235. 

maritima,  235. 

minutilla,  36.  235. 
Trochili,  143. 
Trochilidae,  143,  239. 
Trochilus,  143,  239. 

colubris,  143,  239. 
Troglodytes,  219,  248. 

aedon,  219,  248. 

hiemalis,  220,  248. 
Troglodytidae,  217,  248. 
Troglodytime,  218. 
Tryngites,  236. 

subruficollis,  236. 
Turclkte,  223,  249. 
Turd  in  IE,  223. 
Turdus,  223,  249. 

alicire,  249. 

alicioe  bicknelli,  249. 

aonalaschkae  pallasi,  248. 

f  uscescens,  249. 

mustelinus,  223,  249. 

ustulatus  swainsoni,  249. 
Turkey,  Water,  20. 
Wild,  10,  51,  237. 
Turnstone,  237. 
Tympanuchus,  237,  £49. 
americanus,  237,  249. 
Tyrannidae,  145, 239. 
Tyrannus,  146,  239. 
tyrannus,  146,  239. 


lumme,  230. 
Urinatoridje,  3,  230. 


Uo 


Ulula,  238. 

cinerea,  238. 
Uria.  2SO. 

lomvia,  230. 
Urinator,  3,  230. 

ai-cticus,  230. 

imber,  3,  230. 


V. 


Vireo,  153,  210,  244,  249. 

flavifrons,  244, 

gilvus,  249. 

noveboracensis,  153, 244. 

olivaceus,  210,  244. 

philadelphicus,  244. 

solitarius,  244. 
Vireo,  Blue-headed,  210,  244. 

Philadelphia,  210,  244. 

Red-eyed,  210,  211,  244. 

Warbling,  210,  249. 

White-eyed,  210,  244. 

Yellow-throated,  210,  244. 
Vireonidae,  210,  211,  244,  249. 
Vireos,  210,  211. 
Vultures,  231. 
Vulture,  Black,  237. 

Turkey,  237. 

W. 

Warbler,  Bay-breasted,  212,  245. 

Black  and  White.  211,  212,  244. 

Blackburnian,  245. 

Black-poll,  212,  245. 

Black- throated  Blue,  212,  245. 

Black-throated  Green,  212,  246. 

Blue- winged,  212,  244. 

Blue-winged  Yellow,  211, 

Canadian,  212,  247. 

Cape  May,  212,  245. 

Cerulean,  212,  245. 

Chestnut-sided,  212,  245. 

Connecticut,  212,  247. 

Golden-winged,  212, 245, 

Hooded.  212,  247. 

Kentucky,  211,  212,  247. 

Magnolia,  212,  245. 

Mourning,  212,  247. 

Myrtle,  212,  213,  245. 

Nashville,  212,  245. 

Orange-crowned,  245. 

Palm,  212,  246,  247. 

Parula,  212,  213,  245. 

Pine,  212,  213,  246. 

Prairie,  212,  247. 

Prothonotary,  244. 

Summer  (D.  cestiva),  246. 

Tennessee,  212,  213,245. 

Townsend's,  229,  246. 

WUsen's,  212,  2^7. 

Worm-eating,  168,  211,  212,  244. 

Yellow,  167,  211,  212,  213,  245. 

Yellow  Palm,  212, 247. 

Yellow-rump  (D.  coronata),  246 

Yellow-throated.  212,  246. 
Warblers,  212,  213. 
Wood- Warblers,  211. 
Waxwing,  Bohemian,  244. 

Cedar,  20S,  244. 
Weasels,  56,  57,  64,  67.  72. 
Whip-poor-will,  138, 140,  239. 
Wild-canary,  186. 
Wild-cats,  56.  04.  67,  72. 


260 


INDEX. 


Willet,  236. 
Wolves,  56,  64,  67. 
Woodcock,  33,  34,  35,  36. 

American,  33,  335. 
Woodpecker,  9,  321. 

Arctic  Three-toed,  339. 

Downy,  125, 136, 127, 128, 130,  221,  239. 

Hairy,  124,  125,  130,  221,  239. 

Ivory-billed,  10. 

Pileated,  132,  239. 

Red-bellied,  135, 137, 239. 

Red-cockaded,  239. 

Red-headed,  124, 133, 134,  239. 

Yellow-bellied,  133, 139, 130, 13L 
Woodpeckers,  231. 
Wren,  195. 

Bewick's,  218,  348. 

Carolina,  318,  319,  248. 

House,  218,  219,  220,  248. 

Long-billed  Marsh,  219,  248. 

Short-billed  Marsh,  219, 348. 

Winter,  319,  320, 248. 


Wrens,  213,  218,  219. 
Marsh,  218,  219. 
Marsh,  Long-billed,  218. 


Xanthocephalus,  340. 
xanthocephalus,  240. 

Y. 

Yellow-legs,  37,  236. 
Greater,  37,  336. 

Yellow-throat,  Maryland,  168,  211,  212,  213, 214, 
215,  347. 


Z. 


Zenaidura,  54, 237. 

macroura,  54,  337. 
Zonotrichia,  190,  242. 

albicollis,  190, 242. 

leucophrys,  343. 


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